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Research
Besides projects, Atelier OUI also works diligently on research: how can we design the best public spaces? As a result of our research, the OUI strategy has emerged, which is shown below. We have been using this strategy for a long time now, and based on this matrix, we test whether the designed plan will be successful.
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A great urban sports park is not just a place for athletes, but a clean, safe, and inviting public space for everyone.
1. Community
A project often starts with the community: what kind of skate spot is needed? Who will ultimately use the park? Asking this question is essential: a good skate spot requires support and people who will maintain and take ownership of it once it's completed
2. Place
A successful sports spot is not just a catalog park, but a meticulously designed public space. We see skate parks as modern theaters in the city, where visitors can watch the spectacle of skateboarding, BMXing, stunt scootering, and parkour. Sports connect people, and skate parks are thus small stadiums in the city.
3. Layout
Today's skate parks are no longer standalone objects in a park: the obstacles are seamlessly integrated into the park, with greenery, lighting, walking paths, materials, and furniture all designed together. This is essential for the long-term safety and upkeep of a park.
4. Use
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Finally, the usage: how do you welcome new urban sports athletes to the park? For successful parks, it is crucial to keep the park lively. Through events, lessons, obstacles for different skill levels, and users who keep an eye out. This way, the park remains well-utilized, and the residents are satisfied with its use.
We use this OUI-strategy in a broad spectrum of projects and researches, for example:
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The resulting document (whether it is called feasibility research, vision or study) helps clients to:
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gaining a clear picture of the actual task and providing the right direction for the realization process.
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know what is going on with the residents and locating stakeholders
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providing arguments for decision-making
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setting up the process in the areas of design, realization, planning, financing/subsidy process, phasing
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organizing participation processes
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gaining insight into the costs to be incurred
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inspiring residents and users
"Whatever the task at hand, the site location is always a part of a bigger context. Research ensures that the task is viewed integrally considering spatial, functional, programmatic, financial, participatory, and planning aspects."
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Outdated Facilities
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An important challenge for municipalities is the outdated urban sports facilities within the municipality. Skate parks have been built in the Netherlands since the early 1980s, but of course, much has changed since then. Firstly, the economic lifespan of these objects has long passed, and they often are on the verge of collapse. Additionally, they are mostly catalog objects, often made with unpleasant materials and no longer meet the requirements in terms of dimensions and style. Contemporary urban sports are the domain of custom-made solutions.
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During our research, we collaborate with experts to examine existing situations and provide well-founded advice.
In summers, we actually don't skate on this spot. If you fall, you'll burn yourself on the surface of the steel catalog obstacles, that become scorching hot in the sun."
Skater of skatepark Europapark Alphen ad Rijn
Program & Urban Spot
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A sports facility is never isolated but is part of a broader context. It may well be that an intervention doesn't work on its own. Research into the environment is essential. What factors are at play in the immediate surroundings, what other needs exist, and can we perhaps link programs and target groups together?
For instance, if you create a kiosk next to a parkour track, passersby can enjoy coffee while watching the athletes. By offering a skate repair shop next to a new skatepark, you strengthen the community.
In general, you can say that different programs can reinforce each other. 'Program' can also be viewed in a broader sense, for example, in the form of furniture, square amenities or green spaces. With the Urban Spot, the focus is always on bringing together and facilitating urban spaces for diverse groups of people.
Participation
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Perhaps the most crucial requirement for a successful project is the participation of users and residents. In the past, municipalities have often made the mistake of trying to implement something without considering whether the neighborhood actually wanted it. However, times have changed, and listening to residents' wishes and involving them in decision-making is now essential for municipalities.
During our research, both the client and ourselves ask the following questions:
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What is the demographic makeup of the neighborhood and what are the needs?
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Who are the stakeholders?
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How do we organize participation (organizational structure)?
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What form of participation is suitable for this project (online, offline, co-design, multiple-choice surveys)?
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What topics are open for discussion and what are not?
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How can we create ownership for this place (consultation vs commitment)?
Based on the findings, we usually develop a participation plan including actions, strategies, and phased planning.
“Swinging makes people happy. For the 'Schommelstation' (Swing Set Station), we convinced the municipality to transform the old gas station to a creative swing set area, which has become the centerpiece of the square"
Reonald Westendijk Architect Maastricht
Financing
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The issue of financing can be divided into two matters: what will it cost, and how will we pay for it? In the final phase of research, we compile a financial 'menu' for clients, detailing the costs of various components at the preliminary design level. Based on this, feedback can be provided, and choices for the future can be made.
The second question, of course, is how to fund the project. What budgets are available and at what time? We collaborate with the client to explore which other departments could be involved, whether there are available subsidies, and whether sponsors or a combination with entrepreneurial and thus investing users is possible.
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Operation and maintenance.
Lastly, the financial aspect of the story does not end with delivery. Especially the costs of operating and maintaining are often the neglected aspects that must be considered even during feasibility studies. It is also important for the municipality that a broad spectrum of departments participate and think during a project, especially to shape the phase of use effectively.
