The Power of Imagination: Upended by Water in the Henriëttewaard

In the Henriëttewaard in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, water is always a key player. The area struggles with both extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts. How can we design the water system to withstand these fluctuations? And how can we do so in a way that also honors the rich history and future of the landscape?

In collaboration with the Zuiderwaterlinie Alliance, Staatsbosbeheer (State Forestry), NVTL, Delft University of Technology, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Aa and Maas Water Board, the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and the Province of North Brabant, Kunstloc Brabant launched the 2024 Design Challenge: “Upended by Water in the Henriëttewaard.” Five multidisciplinary design teams tackled these questions. Their assignment: develop sustainable, innovative, and inspiring visions for this unique area.

Dive into the process of this Design Challenge in the film made by Melanie Pardoel.

Read the Jury Meeting Report on the Design Challenge (in Dutch).