OKRA landscape architects

Join our team! We believe that the world of tomorrow can be a place with a positive impact on people and nature. Following this philosophy we work on ground-breaking projects worldwide, from innovative solutions for living with water, to designing healthy cities as natural habitats. Do you have experience in leading landscape architecture projects? We are looking for Dutch-speaking project leaders and senior designers to join our team! Discover these vacancies and more on our website and apply: https://lnkd.in/eBAJufxw #vacature #ontwerpergezocht #landschapsarchitect

We're happy to share that our team is expanding! Ymke de Geus Berry joins us as a landscape designer: "I’ve worked both nationally and internationally as a landscape designer and I am fascinated by beautiful design solutions around the world that tackle major environmental challenges. My aim is to design with nature-based solutions to create resilient future proof spaces that are also beautiful" Li Qian brings his skills as a senior landscape designer: "To manage information from different levels, balance diverse needs, and ultimately transform complex requirements into beautiful and effective design solutions is the part that interests me the most as a landscape designer. My aim is to foster the development of community-friendly and ecological sustainable public spaces for the city within the contemporary social context. Welcome to #OKRAteam

We are featured in the latest article by Scan Magazine, highlighting our dedication to create vibrant, resilient, and sustainable urban environments that positively impact people and nature. Martin Knuijt, Partner at OKRA: “Our work is based on understanding how landscapes have been transformed over time, how cities have been growing in the landscape and how we can take the next step into the future by linking today’s challenges and needs to the spirit of the place”. Projects like ReThink Athens (GR), Marina Park (Cork, IE), and Catharijnesingel (Utrecht, NL) showcase our transformative approach, blending historical and natural contexts with contemporary urban needs. To read the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/dWFWXwAS 

Exciting update! We’ve completed the preliminary design for Park de Vosse & Cerespark in Hillegom. Our shared vision is on its way to becoming reality, thanks to the Municipality of Hillegom for their stimulating assignment focused on "experiencing the senses". The design features an ever-changing sensory route that transitions between zones of hearing, scent, sight, touch, and taste.  Carefully selected plants, materials and programme enhance the sensory experience of each area. To some, even a sixth sense may be experienced… Different planting types — existing and new trees, layered plantings, underplanting, and water plantings — offer food, shelter, and connectivity for the surrounding environment, building a strong ecological framework around the park. We aim to strengthen ecological-recreational connections between the parks and their surroundings, providing a place for Hillegom’s citizens to slow down and reconnect with nature. Planting choices within that framework are tailored to their respective sensory themes. Each garden has its own character, with seamless transitions between themes. A highlight of our design is the integration of the existing deer park using planting and landscape features to create an interplay between open and secluded zones. Rather than being tucked away, the deer become part of the sensory park experience, while also providing a more livable and natural environment. Important value has also been given to circularity. Materials such as stone and wood from within the project area will be locally re-used to form elements such as the multi-textured bare feet path, art installations and seating elements. This park is well on its way to becoming one of the new jewels of Hillegom's chain of distinct, thematically strong  green spaces along parks such as the iconic Hoftuin and the Burgemeester van Nispenpark.  This ensemble of diverse green spaces is made possible by a partnership with a municipality with a clear vision, that dares to dream along with us. Gemeente Hillegom #landscapearchitecture #parks

We are delighted to share the news that we have been selected, in partnership with Scott Tallon Walker Architects, to be in the leading design team for the College Green Dame Street Public Realm project. We will reimagine the heart of Dublin as a dynamic, inviting public space for all. Led by Dublin City Council, the project will see the development of an enhanced public realm from College Green to the junction with South Great George’s Street. For further information, visit: https://lnkd.in/exkQ-A7d #landscapearchitecture

Our transformation of the Rouen Rive Droite station area in France demonstrates how cities can successfully promote a shift to collective and active modes and enhance the quality of life in historic centers. Urban travel accounts for 40% of passenger transport’s global CO2 emissions and contributes significantly to local pollutant emissions in cities. Changing urban mobility patterns is therefore crucial for combating climate change, improving city livability. Our redesign, completed in 2019, has transformed a fragmented, car-dominated area to an inviting public space that prioritizes public transport and active mobility by narrowing carriageways, redistributing car traffic, reducing on-street parking, and introducing a shared space. This transformation provides safe, comfortable, and legible pedestrian and bicycle connections to the city centre as well as an improved accessibility to public transport for the over six million annual passengers of the transport hub. The project has contributed to the revitalization of the area, increasing outdoor space for local businesses and creating a welcoming place to stay at the heart of the city, with a series of densely planted gardens designed as urban living rooms where people can socialize, play, and relax. Our comprehensive approach ensured that the station remained a central and dynamic part of Rouen's historic city centre, enhancing the quality of life and contributing to the city's cultural and ecological resilience.   Discover more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/duviWbsJ   ZCCS SOGETI INGENIERIE LEA - Les Éclairagistes Associés Epiceum Geodice   #landscapearchitecture #urbandesign

Our team is growing! We are excited to welcome three new interns: Anas Barakat: "I am excited to join OKRA and learn more from all the experienced landscape architects who are committed to design and create meaningful spaces. Along with my internship I am working on my thesis project which focuses on harmonizing the city's historical legacy and contemporary identity of the city of Évora." Yiyan Zhou: "At the moment I am pursuing my master’s in Urbanism at TU Delft. My strong interest lies in exploring socio-ecological urban design solutions, methodologies, and instruments to support sustainable urban development, emphasizing city resilience on different scales." Jisheng Zhang: "I am studying landscape architecture, land landscape heritage at Politecnico di Milano. My expertise lies in large-scale analysis and planning, as well as the production of analysis and master plans. I hope to have a pleasant collaboration with everyone and learn more professional skills during my internship at OKRA!" Welcome to #OKRAteam!

We are excited to present our courtyards in Leidsche Rijn (Utrecht, NL)! The design reveals our vision of a contemporary natural island in the urban environment, which combines climate adaptation measures, biodiversity links, and social engagement opportunities for a healthier ecosystem and lifestyle.     The main focus is on maximizing greenery and smoothing transitions between habitats. Thanks to green facades and native flowering plants that promote pollinators, we ensured a continuous micro-ecosystem in the courtyards. Our courtyards also include climate adaptation solutions such as a water retention system, where rainwater is stored and reused for gardens’ irrigation.     The placement of the parking garage, built only below the building volume and not the courtyards, is the great outcome of our collaborative approach to this project. This design facilitates water infiltration in the soil, which plays a key role in activating natural mechanisms where underground organisms can coexist harmoniously and support each other, creating the perfect conditions for nature to thrive.     The design was a result of an inspiring collaborative process with numerous architecture firms and people. We wanted our courtyards’ spaces to allow the community’s interaction and engagement, creating a framework that encourages residents to personalize and maintain their gardens, fostering a sense of ownership and community pride.     Yesterday, we proudly presented this project at the "Making Space, Leaving Space" exhibition, organized by Architectuurcentrum AORTA. This project showcases how even small spaces can significantly impact and contribute to the creation of healthy cities. We are honored to be part of this initiative and demonstrate how thoughtful design can transform residential areas into vibrant and sustainable communities.  CRKL architecten FARO HILBERINKBOSCH Architecten  Janssen de Jong Projectontwikkeling #landscapearchitecture #residentialdesign

Catharijnesingel (Utrecht, NL) has received the Honour Award for the category “Built – Urban Design” in the 2024 World Landscape Architecture Awards!   We are so proud to see how  Catharijnesingel continues to inspire the world to create healthy cities, where walkability, climate resilience, and cultural heritage are enhanced. After being recognized as the best project by numerous awards such as the 2023 Dutch Green Cities Award, the 2022 European Prize for Urban Public Space, and the 2022 Rietveldprijs, we are honoured to say that Catharijnesingel is now our most awarded project! “An exemplary intervention for the survival of our cities in the new climate era” (European Public Space jury) “It is an exemplary project that fits into the ‘softening’ and slowing down of the city center, where concrete and traffic give way to water, biodiversity, and leisure” (Rietveld Prize jury report) Discover more: https://lnkd.in/dFrD3Dd5     Gemeente Utrecht   #landscapearchitecture #urbandesign

Our collaboration with the municipality of Beverwijk has resulted in a comprehensive "Quality Guide for Public Spaces", mainly focused on the city centre side of the train tracks, that sets out an ambitious proposal for a visionary urban development encompassing the station area, historic city centre, and mixed-use area of the city. The guide defines strategies for creating an urban character with a clear focus on enhancing slow-mobility. Climate adaptivity is an integral part of the plan, addressing heat mitigation and flooding risk through introduction of a resilient urban nature framework. By creating a network of green spaces spread across the city, we also enhance biodiversity and ecological resilience. This transformation will infuse Beverwijk with a more urban atmosphere and cultivate a unique identity for the town and its sub-areas. The result is a more vibrant city centre, boosting community engagement and stimulating economic activity. Rutger van der Klip, Project Leader at OKRA: ‘’We are envisioning a green, cool, sustainable and pleasant habitat, where people can live and work with sufficient facilities and that is an inseparable part of the centre of Beverwijk’’. Special attention is given to water management. Green areas along the tracks will serve as sponges to retain rainwater. Improvement measures include the implementation of wadis, rain gardens, retention crates, and green-blue roofs in public spaces and new buildings. This guide becomes a blueprint for future designs of public spaces, following our extensive experience of designing and realizing high-quality resilient public spaces across the world. We are looking forward to continuing this process in Beverwijk in dialogues with local stakeholders and partners! Gemeente Beverwijk #landscapearchitecture #urbandesign