Project omschrijving

Allergaardje – A Communal Garden Shaped by Its Residents

For the residents of De Gaarde in The Hague, HUNC designed a communal garden commissioned by Haag Wonen. The project centres around meeting, ownership, and creating a stronger connection between residents and their shared outdoor space. From the very beginning, the design process was developed in close collaboration with the neighbourhood itself.

Through a series of participation sessions, residents shared their wishes, needs, and ideas for the garden. These conversations formed the foundation of the design and ensured that the outdoor space reflects the people who use it every day. The result is a layered garden with room for both collective and individual use: private garden strips, a shared vegetable garden, green meeting spaces, and a central square for neighbourhood activities. The garden encourages interaction and community, while also providing places for peace and privacy.

The first section of the garden was designed by Urban Sync. HUNC further developed the second section, carefully connecting both parts into one coherent and continuous landscape.

One of the key interventions within the project originated from a request by resident Maria. Living on the lower floor, her balcony sits one and a half metres above ground level. Her grandchildren often visited, but had to walk all the way around the building to reach the garden. Maria asked whether a staircase could connect her balcony directly to the outdoor space. This request led to the design of a new series of staircases that are both safe and personalisable, incorporating elements such as seating and hanging plant pots. Residents on the lower floors were also given the opportunity to create private gardens beneath their balconies, strengthening the connection between home and shared outdoor space.

The project also includes several bespoke elements that reflect the identity of the residents themselves. For one resident who had long cared for stray cats in the neighbourhood, HUNC designed a custom cat hotel: a warm and sheltered structure where cats can retreat while overlooking the garden. The cat hotel combines functionality with playful detailing, including cut-out plant motifs, and was built together with students from ROC Mondriaan.

Sustainability and circular design also play an important role within the project. In the passages connecting the street to the garden, wall-mounted Flocci planters have been installed. These 3D-printed planters are made from recycled plastic and were developed as a collaboration between HUNC and Studio ID Eddy.

Allergaardje demonstrates how participation, social connection, and thoughtful design can transform a shared outdoor space into a place that truly belongs to its residents.