In 2000, the city of Enschede in the Netherlands survived a catastrophic fireworks explosion. Closely following the disaster, a rebuilding project was initiated to restore hope and confidence in the town. Roombeek Street is a commercial street and the urban core of Enschede. In 2005, a stream that ran under Roombeek Street was restored and brought to the surface. Architecture group Buro Sant en Co provided the landscape architecture and urban design services to develop a beautiful, while still functional, public space that brought innovation and pride to the community.
“The base of the stream is treated with a rough structure that reduces the flowing speed of the water and creates a constant reflective pattern on the water surface. A distinctive composition of sharp edged stepping stones refers to the randomness of natural processes and is also a reference to the fireworks explosion.”
