History cast in clay

With a vibrant history of clay and ceramic production, Tegelen wanted to visually integrate its cultural and historical identity into its new town centre. Thus, the heart of Tegelen was redefined by thoughtful paving.

Identity on the ground

Known for generations for its use of clay and ceramic products, Tegelen in The Netherlands still holds on to its tradition. Now, the centre was ready to show its rich history in a contemporary way. The redesign was developed with broad support from the community: local businesses, residents, and the city administration collaborated closely. This created a strong foundation and fostered positive collaboration.

“You could tell that everyone was very committed and that we wanted to create something beautiful together,” says Thor Hendriks, partner and landscape architect at Burobol. The redesign, stretching from Wilhelminaplein at the foot of St. Martins Church along Kerkstraat to Raadhuisplein, places paving at the centre of the narrative. Completed in 2025, the design of the town centre transformed streets and squares into a cityscape that respectfully reflects its history.

Cultural memory of a paved landscape

The town has always related to clay, which is part of the cultural, industrial and and often even part of the personal memory of the region. At Wilhelminaplein, new paving patterns reinterpret the historic kiln chimneys that once defined Tegelen’s skyline. Using a special mix of pavers – Bruno DF, Rosa waterstruck DF and Zonnebloem waterstruck DF – the landscape architects created a unique identity to the project. On Wilhelminaplein they chose yellow and red to reflect the unique mineral composition of the local clay. Inscriptions such as “Welcome to the centre of Tegula” and “Village of roof tile makers” are embedded directly into the surface.

Walking up through Kerkstraat and further to Raadhuisplein, pedestrians follow a lively mix of three colours in red, brown and yellow. In Kerkstraat, narrow-gauge rail lines have been reconstructed, that once used to transport clay through the town. Today, these rails no longer serve as infrastructure, but as spatial storytelling lines added by playful urban furniture. Former tip wagons, locally remembered as Kageltjes, are now used as seating elements along planted tracks.

Sustainability as a matter of beauty

The paving performs socially and environmentally: warm-toned brick surfaces are complemented by grasses and insect-friendly perennials. Greenery frames the architecture around the church and historic town hall. Even under the constraints of heavy daily use in Kerkstraat and sensitive archaeological layers near St. Martin’s Church, the project connects durability with storytelling.

The paving acts as climate-resilient infrastructure, historical narrative, and a stage for everyday urban life. “Future sustainability also depends on a vibrant city where people feel comfortable. Tegelen now has a city centre it can be proud of – one that will last for many years to come”, says Hendriks.