Oranjewoud, a country estate built by Daniel Marot for the Frisian branch of the House of Orange, dates from around 1700. The original formal lay-out that bordered the still existing park had disappeared. The Dutch Forest Service, administrator of the estate had the intentioan to reconstruct this part of the park.

In the meantime an initiative was born to establish a museum of modern Frisian artists on Oranjewoud. In consultation with the Government Department for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Buildings a location for the museum was chosen in the axis of the estate as a counterpart to the existing house.

In a limited competition a plan was asked for to reconstruct the existing grounds, establish a museum garden and embed the whole in the surroundings. This plan was chosen unanimously. It is extremely simple.

Reminiscent of the original baroque park, a rectangular structure resembles the Frisian polders all around.

Scheme
The main layout of the original estate was respectfully accepted as an inspiration for the present intervention. All superfluous frills were removed. Oranjewoud derives its beauty and strength from the restrained rectilinear and elongated avenues flanked by woods and meadows. The northern part opens up to the vast flat landscape of Friesland.








Museum
The museum is anchored to the site, but not part of the reconstruction. Its prominent position in the axis of the formal garden connects the new building to the existing country house. Seen from the house, the museum acts as a screen between the garden and the agricultural land beyond.








Water
The Grand Canal in the axis of the estate is extended in northerly direction and runs under the elevated museum building. There the canal extends into a new body of water with two rectangular islands on both sides. The islands are planted with acacia trees in platoon formation to create a museum garden.

Environs The surrounding landscape is deliberately left as open as possible to emphasize the extent of the Oranjewoud estate. It is organized as an ecological green area with lots of water, meadows, flower pastures and reed-lands. The original pattern of ditches has been directional for the lay-out.

 

Client
Staatsbeheer North
and City of Heerenveen

Credits
Eerde Schipper
Inbo Architects

Smits Rinsma
Engineering

Photography
Kim Zwarts
Emilio Troncoso Larrain
Michael van Gessel