Veldwachter

The former site of construction company Oudshoorn in Schagen is being transformed into a welcoming residential area. The 124 homes in the new neighbourhood, De Veldwachter, are situated in the heart of the village, right next to the centre and surrounded by greenery.

Architect Ludo Grooteman has designed the development to integrate seamlessly with its surroundings. Ludo explains: “The buildings are enveloped by greenery and water, creating beautiful sightlines. This was also a key wish of local residents—they wanted to maintain views of the green spaces and sports fields between the houses.”

Programme
124 residential units

Architect
Ludo Grooteman

Team
Jurgen ten Hoeve, Sjors de Haan, Koen van Hoof, Rada Ruijter

Status
Under construction

Year
2021 - now

Location
Schagen

Client
Bot Bouw

Construction
Swinn

Building physics
Innax

Contractor
Bot Bouw

Local orientation
De Veldwachter has a relaxed, informal character. The buildings are loosely arranged, aligned with the railway, water, sports hall, and surrounding buildings. The colours from Schagen’s centre are reflected in De Veldwachter, allowing the new neighbourhood to blend naturally with its surroundings.

Understated Classic
The homes have a calm and refined presence, complementing the North Holland character of Schagen and its green surroundings. The architecture is understated, with each building differing in design yet sharing recognisable elements that create a cohesive identity. This is particularly evident from Zuiderweg, where the buildings each have their own distinct appearance through variations in form, fencing, and brickwork featuring reliefs, ornaments, and colours. The consistent classical rhythm of the façades is echoed throughout every structure.

Historic Greenery
A path encircles the site, tracing the route of the eastern tramway that once ran here in the 19th century. This expansive, looping strip runs alongside water, greenery, and trees, lending the site a park-like atmosphere. The ditch will be preserved and widened to function as a wadi, allowing excess rainwater to be absorbed naturally.