T.O.P. (tijdelijke opslagplaats werfbergen)

T.O.P. (Temporary Storage Place) is an interactive installation by Gijs Coenen, Sebastiaan Willemen, and Kaat Vandervelde that reimagines urban soil surplus as a playground. Rooted in childhood memories of playing on earth mounds at construction sites, the project proposes a new type of public space: temporary landscapes made from stored soil that invite climbing, rolling, and exploration. These “werfbergen” or moundscapes offer an open-ended play experience shaped by materiality rather than predefined rules.

By coupling urban planning with spontaneous play, T.O.P. introduces a circular, low-cost strategy for repurposing excavated soil in cities. Each installation functions as both a soil depot and a social space—activating vacant land while giving children a space to experiment, collaborate, and test physical boundaries. The project aligns with a broader movement towards participatory environments and reclaims play as a transformative force in the urban fabric.