H+N+S Landscape architects -

Customer
Municipality of Hollands Kroon
Province of North-Holland

Location
Wieringermeer Polder

Scale
M

Period
2014

Theme
Energy & Space

At the end of 2011 the Structural vision Wind Plan Wieringermeer was established. The plan formulates a strong ambition with regard to spatial quality: ‘more wind energy in a more attractive landscape’. H+N+S developed a plan which can be used to evaluate and guarantee the spatial quality.

Motive

Currently there are a great number of linear wind turbine installations in the Wieringermeer and there are solitary wind turbines at farmyards. In the Wind Plan the capacity will be increased from 130 MW in the current situation up to 300-400 MW after the plan is realised. H+N+S has developed a spatial quality plan in order to be able to evaluate and guarantee the spatial quality of the polder in the future.

Our aim is to add a clear and recognisable new layer in the cultural landscape

We will aim at a number of clear linear installations that form a recognizable new layer in the cultural landscape and match the scale of the project and the size of the Wieringermeer polder. By scaling up the current linear installations and removing solitary turbines there’s an opportunity to better reflect the essence of the polder: big sizes, unity and clear lines. The Wind Plan consists of three sub-systems that will implement this new wind turbine landscape.

Approach

The spatial quality plan comprises design principles, preconditions and principles for placing wind turbines and formulates five layers. These layers influence the perception and the effect of wind turbines on different scale levels and determine the spatial quality of the installations.

Result

Layer 0: Regional Context

Strengthen a regional and consistent image of wind turbine farms in the Netherlands. Try to seek alignment with (to be developed) installations in the surrounding area of the Wieringermeer polder to attain a regional spatial consistence.

Layer 1: The concept

The Wind Plan Wieringermeer is based on three spatial units or sub- systems that will implement the new wind turbine landscape. Every sub-system meets the objective of large sizes and clear lines. They are identifiable independently of each other and each respond to the polder in a different way.

Layer 2: Installations

In order to retain the clear concept that was formulated in the former layer, principles of arrangement are necessary to determine the exact position of turbines within the designated areas. The aim is to achieve the greatest possible order, rhythm and regularity.

Summary table of design principles layer 2

Layer 3: Turbine specifications

The design of wind turbines varies. The design of the layout of turbines has an effect on the experience of the layout as a whole. In general, it can be said that the calmer the layout, the more positive the effect. Therefore, the aim is to create as much unity as possible within the various layouts and to take a conservative approach with regard to the design of turbines.

impression of the recreational route along wind turbines

Layer 4: Integration into the landscape

The original Wieringermeer polder landscape was designed with characteristic design elements. Shape and function are uniquely expressed. The wind turbines add a new layer to the original polder landscape. It is our ambition to design new additions from the same design philosophy at the time of the first reclamation: a set of simple but powerfully shaped design principles.