Every year, Dutch Design Awards (DDA) celebrates the best of Dutch design. This year during Dutch Design Week (DDW), we will announce a new DDA winner on DDW TV every afternoon for 8 days. And the winner for the category Habitat is Marker Wadden by Ziegler | Branderhorst stedenbouw en architectuur x Vista landschapsarchitectuur en stedenbouw x Palmbout urban landscapes x Frits Palmboom stedenbouwkundige x Boskalis x Natuurmonumenten
ZIEGLER | BRANDERHORST STEDENBOUW EN ARCHITECTUUR x VISTA LANDSCHAPSARCHITECTUUR EN STEDENBOUW x PALMBOUT URBAN LANDSCAPES x FRITS PALMBOOM STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE x BOSKALIS x NATUURMONUMENTEN
The Marker Wadden is a new and robust nature reserve that has been innovatively developed with nature in mind. It is an archipelago of five islands, constructed using sand, clay and silt from the Markermeer (Marker Lake), that is protected by two rows of dunes. The islands consist primarily of marshlands and shallow waters and are perfectly suited as habitats for birds; one of the main goals was the recovery of the ecology and biodiversity of the Markermeer. Only the largest island is open to the public. It has a port, beaches, walking paths and promenades, a viewing tower, several bird hides and an off-grid settlement of wooden buildings that blend in with the natural environment.
— ‘Marker Wadden demonstrates the design value of a holistic approach; the interaction of so many involved parties is what makes this such a strong project.’
Expert panel
How should space be used in a densely populated country? Marker Wadden provides an inspiring answer by creating a habitat in which man is secondary. This demonstrates the design value of a holistic approach; the interaction of so many involved parties is what makes this such a strong project. The approach fits in with our tradition of land creation. Nature takes over here, which is what makes this project successful. The focus here is not to fight against water, but rather to live in harmony with it. The fact that this beautiful project has been achieved with every respect for nature communicates its significance in the best possible way. Everyone should experience this.
Habitat
Design and layout of private and public spaces that improve the quality of life. From infrastructure to interior and from cultural to commercial, permanent or temporary.
Expert jury: JaapJan Berg (chair), Ellen van der Wal, Femke Bijlsma, Cees van der Veeken and Jan Nauta.