OKRA landscape architects

Our team continues to grow! With their expertise and experience, Daan Posthouwer (ecologist) and Vincent Lulzac (senior designer) will help us shapE landscapes that serve communities and respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Buzzing with energy, lush greenery, and a vibrant atmosphere, Marktplein square has become a central place for the daily rhythm of Hengelo (NL). Completed in 2023, the project marks a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the city centre. Developed in close collaboration with local residents, the design incorporates wishes by all ages, from quiet seating areas to playful zones. Open edges ensure flexibility for everyday use and market days, while a graceful steel frame defines the central area, integrating lighting and climbing plants. With strong support from Gemeente Hengelo and a clear focus on sustainability, the project incorporates climate-resilient greenery, water elements, and reused paving materials. The result is a vibrant, inclusive public realm that reflects Hengelo’s identity and brings renewed energy to its centre. Discover more insights about the project here: https://lnkd.in/d-WzXEsb Dusseldorp Infra, Sloop en Milieutechniek De Zwarte Hond (pavilion) Photography by: OKRA (Melle van Dijk), Van den Berk Nurseries #landscapearchitecture #healthycities

Transforming industrial heritage into a vibrant mixed-use community At the meeting point of urban life, water, and landscape, the former industrial area of Keerdok (Mechelen, Belgium) is being reshaped into an appealing and nature-inclusive destination for recreation, culture, living and working. Commissioned by the Stad Mechelen, CORES Development, and the developers’ consortium ION develop different - NEW bvba, we have led the transformation of Keerdok’s public realm. Our designs for the two residential quarters, Wattland and BRUIS, alongside the new Keerdok city park, showcase a strong and bold green vision for the area’s future development, combining climate resilience with a profound respect for the site’s natural and cultural heritage. By creating meaningful spaces for both nature and living, Mechelen will soon gain a unique new urban neighbourhood. Read more about the project: https://lnkd.in/dC_pMs6N #landscapearchitecture #healthycities #mechelen #belgium #climateresilience Visuals by: ION develop different, NEW bvba, nuvillu illustrations

Transforming Avenue du Peuple Belge in Lille, France We are proud to share our winning design for the transformation of the French city centre of Lille. We will turn the fragmented Avenue du Peuple Belge into a new 5,5-hectare multifunctional park of vibrant public spaces that bring heritage, people, and nature together. Meeting Ville de Lille's brief, our proposal focuses on the challenges of the 21st century in terms of ecological transition, development of soft mobility and renewed living environment. The start of work is scheduled for the end of 2027 and over the coming years we will continue working to meet users’ needs and shape this transformative project, blending heritage with sustainable innovation to create a landmark destination for Lille, its citizens, and visitors. Stay tuned for more updates!   Discover more about the design: https://lnkd.in/dV7q8-i4 INGETEC Ingénierie ZCCS Sol Paysage TRAVEE ATELIER ROLAND JEOL La Belle Friche #landscapedesign #urbandesign #healthycities #lille #france

Nature meets heritage: reweaving the 19th-century fort into the city Completed in 2019, our design for Fortstraat re-establishes a vital link between a 19th-century Brialmont fort and the city centre. Once isolated, this historic site has now been reintegrated into the urban fabric, respecting its heritage while fostering nature and leisure. Drawing inspiration from the fort’s original military layout, the new street profile incorporates native planting, sustainable water management solutions, and carefully selected materials harmonising with the fort’s historic palette. By striking a balance between tranquillity, biodiversity, and accessibility, Fortstraat has become a welcoming public space, a living part of the city once more. Read more about the project: https://lnkd.in/d5kNaWCP Stad Mortsel Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies #landscapearchitecture #climateresilience

Dinxperlo's town square is officially open Once a paved car park used mainly by visitors during the Friday market, the half-hectare square has now been transformed into an inviting, green ‘town living room’. The addition of trees and greenery helps combat heat stress and prevent waterlogging, with rainwater collected and reused for irrigation. Slower traffic and more space for pedestrians and cyclists improve safety while encouraging active use, creating a welcoming environment for all. This project marks the first completed stage of a wider transformation aimed at revitalising Dinxperlo's town centre, enhancing its character, improving the quality of the space, and ensuring its climate resilience. Read more about the news: https://lnkd.in/d5ercK6Z Gemeente Aalten Dusseldorp Infra, Sloop en Milieutechniek #landscpaedesign #dinxperlo #heathycities

Revitalising College Green – Dame Street public realm in Dublin One year after our appointment as the leading design team for the College Green – Dame Street public realm project in central Dublin, we are proud to share the first public update on our work. Commissioned by Dublin City Council, OKRA - in partnership with Dublin-based Scott Tallon Walker Architects - will lead a multi-disciplinary team to develop the design. This project envisions a safe, inclusive, and vibrant civic space that celebrates the area’s rich heritage while embracing sustainability, accessibility and biodiversity.   Driven by the valuable support and feedback from the local community during the public consultation process, we are now eager to take our vision to the next phase of the design process and demonstrate our commitment to placing people at the centre of city life. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/duhNZ6eb Further information on Dublin City Council page: https://lnkd.in/g-e6TjAW Scott Tallon Walker Architects Civic Engineers Roughan & O'Donovan Avison Young Howley Hayes Cooney Architecture Linesight #landscapearchitecture #healthycities #suds #urbanecology #dublin

Selected from over 300 entries across 30+ countries, we’re proud to have two projects shortlisted by World Landscape Architecture. This reflects the global impact and design excellence of landscape architecture in connecting communities, honoring memory, and shaping the future. Begbroke Innovation District continues to gain momentum - after Architizer A+ Award and Planning Award for Design Excellence, this time it has been shortlisted in the Concept | Masterplan and Urban Design category. Read more about the design: https://lnkd.in/dyVh7TE6 Bobigny historic deportation station has been recognized in the Built | Large Public Space Landscape Design category. Explore the story of the project: https://lnkd.in/dzggG2yD We are grateful to our teams and collaborators whose dedication made these projects possible. Winners will be announced on August 12th. #WLAawards #landscapearchitecture #urbandesign #publicspace

A new 24-hour cultural destination in the heart of London Smithfield is transforming from its historic role as a meat trading hub into a vibrant, world-class public realm where rich layers of history meet contemporary culture. In collaboration with Hawkins\Brown, we are working on an ambitious public realm scheme that aims to create a unified, pedestrian-friendly and multi-functional public realm where the area’s heritage coexists with contemporary cultures. This new cityscape will be resilient, inclusive, and activated with public functions. Designed to enhance comfort, ecological value, and sensory experience, Smithfield will support a slower, more human pace of urban life. Its adaptable public spaces will invite informal gatherings, performances, and play, fostering cultural exchange while celebrating Smithfield’s distinctive rhythm and enduring civic legacy. Discover more on our website: https://lnkd.in/dAcggdRR City of London Corporation Studio Dekka Limited Momentum Transport Consultancy Contemporary Art Society #landscapearchitecture #urbandesign #london #climateresilience

Paardenkerkhofstraat becomes a model for climate-adaptive urban renewal Our long-standing collaboration with Stad Mechelen continues with the transformation of Paardenkerkhofstraat, a flagship project within the Flemish “Koelen Straten” (Cool Streets) programme. This redesigned street combines climate resilience with improved quality of life, addressing heat stress through greening, de-paving, permeable surfaces and smart water management. What began as a local pilot has become a blueprint for future projects, inspiring a vision of public spaces that are cooler, safer and more inviting.   Follow-up monitoring in 2026 will assess its impact on the microclimate, reinforcing Mechelen’s pioneering role in urban climate action. A meaningful step forward for the neighbourhood, the city, and the future. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/dhqUwSg8 Ghent University Houwelyckx Wegenbouw Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies Photos by Stad Mechelen #landscapearchitecture #publicspace #climateadaptation #Mechelen