The architecture of KENK > The 'fine grain'
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Very important for the proper functioning of a city and creating a good atmosphere is a ‘small grain'. The small grain makes it possible that the city, in the course of the time, step by step can change and adapt to new economic, social and cultural conditions. The small grain also provides a 'human scale', so important for the atmosphere of a city. Moreover, a small grain fits in well with current developments in which, besides institutional investors, there is an increasing scope for initiatives 'from the bottom up' such as collective and private commissioning. Characteristic of many pre-war Dutch towns is a structure of smaller elements within a greater whole. In few places in the world, however, the impact of the fine grain is so convincing as on the canals of Amsterdam.
KENK Architects has worked on many urban designs which are composed of relatively small grains and where every grain was elaborated by a different architect. These always very inspiring collaborations have yielded very special designs; designs that, because of this approach, immediately after completion provided a charming and relaxing living environment. We also have realized designs in which we ourselves have introduced a small grain within a larger building volume. By applying a "toolbox", in which a limited number of details in the different units is used, it is possible to create diversity in the total building volume within the construction budget. |