Ever since there have been nature preservation societies it has been forbidden to dig marl (a soil of clay and lime) in Limburg for use as fertilizer. The marl industry leaves great scars across the landscape so that tracts of valuable nature disappear. This scenario is going to change. Instead, a more beautiful landscape will emerge after the marl is dug up, simply by rethinking the issue. My strategy consists of making several small digs along the edge of the plateau instead of one major one on top of it. The marl digs are to be part of a project of sustainable development for the landscape. Existing and new marl pits are clustered in a special zone where they generate large ensembles of water features. The structure of slopes and walls is then primed to receive new developments. Marl Country is heading for a bright future somewhere between the precious Limburg of yesteryear and the post-industrial Limburg of tomorrow.

The limestone industry profits The two major manufacturers of limestone are sitting pretty for the next century. They can dig top-quality limestone at sites that could not be cheaper to exploit. No need for dynamite, but dug in a non-destructive, positive way with reduced noise and a reuse of waste material.

Nature profits Three hectares of new nature will be added each year through state-of-the-art marl digging. This way, a unique lime swamp is born where the first orchids will flower after just five or ten years. The variety in the marsh is increased by stepped water terraces, by stimulating erosion and by admitting phosphate washed in from the adjoining pastures.

The inhabitants profit The wall of the marlpit plays a key role in collecting and radiating the sun's heat. By placing the wall in a favourable position, the solar heat can be put to good use in a number of apartment towers standing parallel to the wall. Together the towers form a straight line that slots seamlessly into the structure of one-street villages on the marl plateau.

Place of education: Amsterdam
Specialization: landscape architecture
Tutors: Dirk Sijmons, Marieke Timmermans & Niek Bisscheroux