The Dordrecht Museum already had a gorgeous garden. Enclosed by an imposing fence, a variety of splendid old trees fill the entire space, making it a lush, leafy location in the heart of the town. Naturally, none of this has been altered.










All the shrubbery, a small round pond and a wide paved edge along the façade, however, have been removed so as to make the garden look more spacious and allow the trees to be fully appreciated. All that remains is the lawn strewn with a wealth of bulbs that add a colourful flourish in the spring, when the trees have yet to bud, filling the bare space.








New are a path leading to the entrance and a terrace outside the restaurant. The path, made of dark, smooth concrete, is slightly raised, highlighting it just enough and sparing the chestnut trees’ roots.

The terrace, paved with dark gravel, has a stepped floor, like the veranda next to it, to bridge a 60-centimetre drop in the sloping terrain. Both the path and the terrace are made of dark material so these new elements, rather than standing out, blend in seamlessly with the rest of the garden.

In the garden adjoining the new alley connecting the Museumstraat and de Veste, a loose box pattern gives it character in winter. Perennials and bulbs planted between the box rows make it look colourful throughout the rest of the year. Located in the heart of the town, it is a small, green oasis.

Client
Dordrechts Museum

In collaboration with
Francien van Kempen
Technician

Jacqueline van der Kloet
Planting plan

Architect
Dirk Jan Postel

Photography
Emilio Troncoso Larrain