Forest icons
On a journey of discovery through the Puurbos, Parkbos and Wildbos, you will encounter five places of wonderment in Almeerderhout. Where you can meander among the treetops, spot wildlife, cross the water with a graceful arch and experience land-art.
Staatsbosbeheer and the Municipality of Almere together have the ambition to make the Almeerderhout the urban forest of the future. This ambition has taken shape in the Almeerderhout Development Plan (lola, 2020) and the Almeerderhout Atlas (Polyfern). Polyfern created the landscape and designs for the first 700 acres of the forest (see project page). In parallel, conceptual sketches were created for five new forest icons, as appealing perspectives showing the opportunities for new initiatives in the forest.
The “forest circuit” is a recognizable continuous route of 18.2 km that connects the different parts of Almeerderhout. Five places of wonderment develop along the forest circuit. In addition to existing icons such as the Green Cathedral. The forest icons will be special attraction points that will put the urban forest on the map for both Almere and the rest of the Netherlands. Each icon is a marker on the forest circuit and offers an ultimate experience of the linked forest atmosphere (Pure Forest, Park Forest or Wild Forest).
The “Pure Forest” icon highlights the beauty of the forest with mature trees. This icon consists of a treetop trail that rises like a spiral from the forest. On floors of varying heights, one can walk between the tree tops to a height of about 18 meters. The hexagonal shape of the floor plan refers to the many geometric forest structures that characterise Almeerderhout.
The “Make Forest” icon is a recreational and circular wood experience center. The center is developing using the construction of a former waste shed on Braambergen, in the middle of Almeerderhout. This wood experience center tells the story “from plant to product”. Local wood released from forest management is given a new life here, such as a birdhouse, signpost or bench in the forest.
In addition, the plan provides for two new bridges, each of which is an experience in itself. One of the bridges is over the Lange Wetering canal and crosses the water with a gentle, flowing arc. The bridge plays a key role in both the recreational and ecological network. The bridge is therefore half laid out as a green deck that provides space for crossing wildlife.
Currently, Polyfern is working on the design of the “Onsbos” and “Wild Forest” icon.
(No rights can be derived from the images).
Year: 2024
Type: sketch design, public space, landscape
Client: municipality of Almere and Staatsbosbeheer
Size: approximately 1400 hectares of city forest
Status: sketch design
