The Herkenrode master plan connects heritage, landscape, and women’s history, with a harmonious vision of nature, culture, and the future.
Herkenrode Hasselt
Herkenrode Hasselt
The Herkenrode Abbey site is one of the oldest Cistercian nunneries in the Low Countries, founded in 1182. For centuries, this unique site was governed by women and served as a spiritual, cultural, and landscape landmark in Limburg. In the contemporary design, this feminine dimension remains palpable: caring, layered, and in harmony with the landscape. The new master plan builds on this legacy, with respect for the past and a clear vision for the future.
An integrated green master plan was developed for the Herkenrode Abbey site, connecting the historical value of the estate with new ambitions in nature, heritage, tourism, and agriculture.
The project included an overall vision for the estate, including concrete sub-projects to be realized in the short term. The first phase focuses on the Neerhof and the historical heart of the abbey, where a new artwork by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh has also been integrated. This sub-project provides a tangible and contemporary interpretation of the site’s rich history.
In addition, the master plan includes visions for the English Park, the abbesses’ quarter, the infirmary, the moat system, the herb garden, and the parking area. Each element has been thoughtfully designed with attention to the existing landscape structure and the site’s unique heritage character.
The plans were developed in close consultation with various stakeholders, including heritage and nature organizations, local authorities, and other partners. At the heart of the design is a respectful approach to history, in which the role of women throughout the centuries is not only acknowledged but also serves as an inspiration for the design vision.
The estate is not merely being redesigned, but ‘unfolded’ anew in all its layers. With the master plan, Herkenrode is being prepared for the coming decades—with subtle interventions, landscape refinement, and spaces for contemplation, wonder, and connection.