Westpunt Pavilion in Westerpark reaches highest point

Since the fire in 2019, volunteers, nature organizations, and other visitors have had to improvise to meet up and start guided tours.

Meanwhile, architect Ralph Goutier from the municipality of Zoetermeer worked with volunteers from the foundation on a new and sustainable design for the pavilion. Alderman Van der Meer praised the Friends of the Nature Garden, who have been committed to the Nature Garden for many years. "The foundation's involvement has certainly contributed to the beautiful result." From the outset, the starting point for the new building was to create a space that could serve as more than just a meeting place for the Friends of the Nature Garden. "It was important that the building would be large enough to accommodate groups for guided tours, for example, but how wonderful would it be if school classes could receive nature and environmental education here? Not just in the classroom, but in practice, surrounded by greenery."

In 2022, the municipality of Zoetermeer transferred the management of the Nature Garden to the Friends of the Nature and Landscape Garden Zoetermeer Foundation. A small group of nature garden guides has been active for almost 30 years, showing visitors around and teaching them about the uniqueness of this piece of Zoetermeer nature. Every year, around 20 excursions are organized for a total of approximately 350 participants.

HSB Bouw was asked to construct the building, as the company has experience in building sustainable designs in green environments. The foundation, roof, and walls all meet these requirements.