Master Thesis S. Golchehr

Between 1925 and 1927, the HBS of W.G. Witteveen and A.J. van der Steur is finished on the south side of the square and the square is redesigned. The square gets a threefold division: from north to south one lane flanked by trees ends the southern part of the square. As part of the HBS-complex a botanical garden is developed. The part of the square next to the church has a more public character and there is a bandstand. Finally in the middle there were two fields for sports and games.

Only between 1960 and 1970 people start the transformation of the layout and appearance of the Afrikaanderplein. On the north side there is a need for more space for events, but also the market which after the construction of the metro has moved from Maashaven to Afrikaanderplein. Instead of the three-way split there is now a dual division: a green and semi-private space that belongs to the HBS and a public paved area for the market and for events.

Around 1970 there are again important interventions in the square.

The event C’70 provides the square an enormous steel canopy with underneath it a theatre pit designed by architect Stekelenburg.

The square is tiled with concrete paving stones. Also the longcherished desire for a sand playground finally comes true and a pond is created.

The square as a meeting place and playground never succeeded in the neighbourhood. Due to the location of the sunken plaza and the desolate character the square is soon called ‘the hole’ in the district. However during the urban renewal in the first half of the seventies people make good use of the space: several temporary houses are placed on the square for people who needed to leave their homes during the renovation.