De Kunstwerf
Every year, Dutch Design Awards (DDA) honours the best Dutch designers and their most impressive and groundbreaking projects. Various disciplines, viewpoints and solutions are judged in light of the impact they have on our society. Dutch Design Awards thereby gives a boost to the profession as a whole. The best Dutch design, viewed in perspective and placed on a pedestal.
DDA nomination 2023 | Habitat
Groningen celebrates the performing arts with De Kunstwerf. It is not uncommon for theatre companies to be tucked away in invisible places. But here, a home has been designed especially for them. A place where not only users but also residents of Groningen and other visitors are welcome. This is why the heart of De Kunstwerf is not the theatre itself, but the inner garden, designed by Piet Oudolf as a succession of public spaces and including an intimate amphitheatre. Both audience and actors come together in the garden; a space that provides seclusion and intimacy, but above all visibility. Every company has its own front door, kitchen, work and rehearsal rooms. In the garden there is plenty of space for meeting and peeking behind the scenes of the theatre groups.
Expert jury
Housing theatre companies in a building with a somewhat formal appearance is a combination that gives De Kunstwerf a slightly alienating feel, almost surreal. The visual language is very graphic and certainly innovative in the Netherlands. It suits this city, where there is room for experimental buildings. The city of Groningen once again demonstrates exemplary commissioning by allowing relatively young architects to design a cultural building that actively establishes a connection between residents and visitors. The architects made a bold decision in opting for a public courtyard garden. A well-designed building that cannot be ignored and that arouses curiosity. De Kunstwerf invites you to peek inside and keep looking.
For more information about the nominees and the DDA Awards Show you can visit dutchdesignawards.nl.
Photography: Iwan Baan, Stijn Bollaert