Layered infrastructure of cooperation in landscape and heritage development plan 'Maarhuizen'

The expansion of scale in the agricultural sector has a huge impact on historic landscapes and build heritage losing their former function. Maarhuizen is a small dwelling with some farmhouses and a historic graveyard on a man-made hill, typical for the cultural landscape of the north part of Groningen in The Netherlands. It's unique geomophological and historic agricultural structures are still visible in the landscape. The archaeological value is very high. The former 16th century farmhouse 'Enne Jans Heerd', a national monument To safeguard this complete cultural ensemble various parties (Foundation Staatsbosbeheer - the owner, two private managers, architects: Onix and LAOS) work together with the support of several other organisations and different forms of funding. In order to maintain the building and the surrounding cultural landscape for the future, a combination is made between redevelopment from agricultural to a cultural, ecological and tourist objective. Making the building more sustainable, with innovative restoration options and all this while preserving, restoring and further development of heritage and the surrounding cultural landscape. Co-creation is the key: In the province of Groningen we have an extensive network of people and organisations who are committed to the restoration, conservation and development of heritage and landscape: private individuals and entrepeneurs, regional and local government, heritage foundations and affilliated agencies.