“I’ll take you to the edge of space if you’d like.” The gentle voice of a performer in a caddy hat glazes the intimate front room of a house boat. Families sit cross legged on pillows on the floor, swaying back and forth to the island inspired lullaby’s he plucks out on his small acoustic guitar.
Welcome to the world of De Ceuvel. A community workplace outside of Amsterdam founded on sustainability. On June 15 the collective gathered to celebrate the birthday of something only ever meant to be temporary. In 2012 the initiative reclaimed an abandoned shipyard full of toxins to maximize the space for residential buildings. While planted greenery heals the soil, each house boat features entrepreneurs and artists passionate about the mission of De Ceuvel.
The site uses advanced sustainable technologies and teaches its visitors with a vision to make environmentalism accessible. Visitors to the workplace can enjoy a vegan restaurant, take a peek in the greenhouse, or stay at one of the six bed and breakfast boats. Follow an arrow labeled “secret garden” to a winding wooden walkway, and visitors can explore each entrepreneurs studio in the ship yard.
Though the park’s original mission was to make sustainability accessible, the artistic culture attracts a wealthy crowd. The cafe claims to cater to low income individuals by providing discounted meals, but the qualifying bracket being so low increases the disparity, discouraging original residents of the area from visiting.
The collective has been granted an additional two years of residency before the land is turned over to development. It is in the hands of developers to decide whether or not to include De Ceuvel in future plans. The park has become a host for creativity and fun with families coming to enjoy live music, movie screenings, and parties. The loss of this community center would not go unnoticed.
