Location: the Hygiëa square, part of the Amsterdamse School-area, plan Zuid, Berlage, Amsterdam

whispering couches

Commission: Amsterdam Foundation for the Arts (AFK)/ stadsdeel Zuid Amsterdam
Location: Hygiëaplein, Amsterdam
Exposition model and plan: Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 1998, 'Kinderen van Reggio Emilia'
Radio 5: interview with former director Stedelijk museum Rudi Fuchs about the project
Research: Reggio Emilio (Italy)
Publication (AFK): 'Het plein moet zachter’: interviews with groups of children of the four schools on the square
Materials proposal: Accoya wood, terrazzo, 2 Chestnut trees (Castanea), 20 platanen (Platanaceae), hedges (Ceanothus)
Dimensions: l 3 m x h 1,6 m
Year: 1997 (concept), 2010 (definite design)
Status: not (yet) realised

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Art/design- and green proposal for the Hygiëaplein, a square with the excactly the same dimensions as the Piazza Navona in Roma. The ideas are based on the outcomes of a workshop with the children of the four schools using the square. In the greenplan two big ‘parent’ chestnut trees at both ends and small ‘children’- espalier plane trees are planned. The little trees block the view and make motorists reduce speed. Hedges of American Lilac turn blue during spring. the art proposal, consists of four ‘whispering couches’. This area is like a square in a square, the place to meet. As the children were curious about what happens at the other side of the square, they can whisper via the scales over the dangerous road separating the square.

Special thanks to Margot Meeuwig, Bas van Tol and Peter van der Heijden