Abdij van Herkenrode - Field

For the Herkenrode Abbey site, a2o developed an integrated landscape vision for the abbey and its wider surroundings. Located at the edge of the Demer Valley, this exceptional heritage landscape is defined by a rich historical layering, a refined water system and a strong landscape identity. The ambition of the project was to make these qualities legible again and prepare them for the future, while respecting heritage, ecology and contemporary public use. 

The vision is based on a thorough analysis of topography, water, ecology, mobility and history. This revealed a landscape with a strong but fragmented internal logic. The structure of the Demer Valley, with its winter bed, valley edges and higher grounds, is still present, yet the historical system of canals, ponds and irrigation has been interrupted in several places. Today, this contributes to challenges such as flooding, drought and a loss of ecological continuity. 

Water becomes the backbone of the proposal. By reconnecting three complementary water systems, the Demer Valley, the canals and irrigation structures around the abbey, and the field ditches on the higher grounds, the project strengthens climate adaptation, biodiversity and landscape coherence. Restored and newly introduced water elements make water visible and functional again: as a carrier of ecological value, as a buffer during extreme rainfall and as a structuring element within the landscape. 

The project also reinforces the readability of the site through the idea of a coulisse landscape. Historical axes, tree rows, avenues and landscape rooms guide visitors through the area and create a clear sense of orientation. These linear elements frame views, reconnect the abbey with its surrounding landscape and help the site tell its story. 

The vision positions Herkenrode between estate and landscape park. On one hand, it preserves the coherence and intimacy of the historical domain; on the other, it opens the site to a broader public. Gateways, destinations and a hierarchical path network structure the visitor experience, while mobility, arrival and places to stay are carefully integrated into the landscape. 

Finally, the abbey is understood as a place where tradition and experimentation can reinforce each other. Historical agricultural practices, heritage and landscape form the basis for new programmes around education, ecology, circular agriculture and research. In this way, Herkenrode is not fixed in the past, but becomes a living landscape system with future value.