Randstad Sleutelprojecten is an extensive exploration of the so called Randstad Key Projects. The exploration has been done together with OMA and has resulted in the publication “Differentiëren, Calibreren en Integreren Ontwerpende verkenning naar sleutelprojecten in het kader van de Structuurvisie Randstad 2040”. This research by design was accompanied by the Ministery of Spatial Planning (VROM). Based on this exploration of the current Key Projects the government will possibly start with an integral and substantial exploration of the Key Projects after 2020. Examples of these new projects are: Olympic games, integral safety projects and large scale urban projects on an international level. Four narratives are used to explore the full range of the project: Randstad Safe (Randstad veilig), Randstad Health (Randstad gezond), Living together (Samen leven, samen wonen) and Conversion towards electricity (Conversie naar electriciteit). In collaboration with One Architecture B.V. Text One Architecture B.V.

The Ministry VROM has commissioned One Architecture to develops strategies for the Randstad. A Design Studio ‘Networks’ (Atelier Netwerken) was initiated, together with a.o. Xaveer de Geyter (XDGA), Reinier de Graaf (OMA) and Rein Jansma (Zwarts en Jansma), in order to develop a vision for the Randstad in 2040. As a follow-up Yttje Feddes, Matthijs Bouw, Hilde Blank and Jan Brouwer, urban designers, architects and landscape architects explored possible layouts for the region of West-Netherlands, concluded in the book ‘Ontwerpen aan de Randstad 2040’. It is the second issue in the series ‘Design and Politics’. This series is an initiative of VROM (Dutch ministery of housing). The book describes three perspectives on the future of the Randstad: Wereldstad, Kunststad and Buitenstad. In collaboration with One Architecture B.V. Text One Architecture B.V.

Benetton are an atypical brand insofar as they use an advertising strategy that relies on publishing of a number of discrete moments. They use their power to bring real-life conditions – either beautiful or tragic – to the fore. They, unlike other large retail brands, don’t ‘sell’ anything. Their brand is allied with Beauty, Truth and Empathy and a feeling of shared humanity. How can a building deliver on this principle? The proposal for Benetton have made that freedom possible through the provision of Tehran’s most precious public space; its (intimate) parks. The project argues that any urban building’s ultimate purpose is to provide a space for meaningful interaction – either face to face or implicit through the experience of shared space. The building occupies a prominent position on a boulevard known for its role within the everyday, unofficial encounters of the city’s youth: the Bluetooth strip. It provides the urban quality that is absent from any other store around the world: the un-programmed space. In this city where the interactions of Benetton’s target audience are curtailed – formalized – the project proposes the ultimate contribution the brand can make to Tehran; a collective space for human encounter, framing a series of ‘images’, asking us to contemplate a shared humanity. The essence of Benetton Tehran is that is it present in the fullest sense through its absence. The shop floor has been removed from street level – sent hovering above and visible below – and instead a park provides a space where Benetton promote the most valuable product – freedom. In collaboration with Tjeerd Haccou (http://www.spaceandmatter.nl) and Matthew Murphy.

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Catalogus NL shows a rich variety of security mechanisms located within the Randstad four largest cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Haque, and Utrecht. Forty additional examples from antiterrorism and security measures in major cities around the globe accompany this catalogue. The main reason for establishing such catalogue came as a direct result off a design task. ‘Security ‘design’ is often ‘ad-hoc’ – retrofitted on the level of the (architectural) object. The options offered to designers are limited, i.e. “Are you worried about vehicle born explosion? Then block up the underground car park”. The direct context of the object which needs to be secured is to a great degree scrutinized in terms of their treat, to a much lesser degree, if at all, seen as potentials. De collection of security mechanism are set-out as different components that can be used speculatively and applied at an very early design stage. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Coordinator of Terrorism (NCTb) were involved in the project.

Kop van Isselt in Amersfoort is located on a strategic location close to the city center and in near proximity of highway and train station. Surrounded by several major urban development projects, Kop van Isselt can play a key role in the growth of Amersfoort. Kop van Isselt has unique spatial qualities and a rich industrial history. Key elements in its character are the ‘backbone’ of the Nijverheidsweg, the connection with Amsterdamseweg and the existing (latent) structures such as the Warner Jenkinson area. Five different perspectives provided insight in the range of possibilities for Isselt. A financial quick scan and tentative schemes for phasing support the perspectives. In collaboration with One Architecture B.V. Text One Architecture B.V.