Imagine standing in a tidal pavilion, a kind of inverted aquarium that moves with the tides. Its a warm, sultry day. You look around at the other attendees: citizens, businesses, civil servants, and scientists.
The water gently laps against the thick glass wall of the pavilion designed by artist David Veldhoen. Meanwhile, the tide rises. With the rising water, the feeling of discomfort grows. Each wave challenges: what will you do with me?
Nature here is not a subject of conversation but an active participant. The tidal pavilion is one of the concepts that David Veldhoen developed as an artist in residence at the Strategic Explorations program.
Imagination
But what prompted the appointment of Veldhoen as an artist in residence? The long-term strategy Compass RWS states that fundamental change is needed on several topics: climate adaptation, energy transition, agriculture, nature.
Continuing on the old path is no longer possible. Space is limited, not everything fits on the same square meter. But moving forward is difficult. Imagination can help.
Thats why we asked visual artist and architectural designer David Veldhoen: how can you facilitate conversations about these fundamental changes using design?
Amphibium
In 2023 and 2024, Veldhoen developed three spatial concepts as an artist in residence for this other conversation on climate adaptation. About the Amphibium concept, he says: The Amphibium depicts a post-Delta Plan where future generations live in harmony with the sea.
In the design, the confrontation with the exaggerated tidal difference is a metaphor for rising sea levels. Unlike in an office with a system ceiling, the slowly rising water here compels debate. Imagination is stimulated to encourage decisive decision-making.
Fluctoforum
The second spatial concept, the Fluctoforum, uses the symbolism of water. The floating, changing, and variable landscape invites broad consensus. Decision-making takes place on the crime scene so that paper and practice come together.
Participation of stakeholders takes place on a floating platform with various stages. This makes the unheard visible.
Habiversum
The Habiversum, a train visualized as a caterpillar, is the third concept. In the Habiversum, a biotope of butterflies is cultivated to advocate for the importance of biodiversity conservation. With climate warming, the habitats of plants and animals are shifting.
A train as a glass greenhouse stimulates the viewer: how can we contribute to insects moving with shifting climate zones in our own habitat? Can this train, traveling through the Netherlands, be a platform for that conversation?
The Journey is the Goal
The three concepts have been presented within and outside Rijkswaterstaat and shown on the Kraaiennestdag. This resulted in enthusiastic reactions and valuable insights to further develop the ideas. The preliminary imaginations provide space for interesting conversations and surprising connections between Rijkswaterstaat employees and people from other organizations, such as NS, research institutions, and water boards.
Questions raised include: how will we live with water in the future? How can we better understand the resilience of the ecosystem and involve it in future spatial planning? Can participation be used differently to make better decisions?
Want to Think Along?
Would you like to contribute ideas for the further development of these concepts? Please contact us.