A wooden dome, sunk in the middle of the field, with a fire pit in the middle. This is De Dingplaats, a Ruigoord initiative. The circular gathering place for 50 people is reminiscent of European pagan gathering places of the Vikings, Celts and Frisians. The word ding still refers to assembly or justice in many northern European countries. The dingplaats is traditionally the place where issues in the community were hammered out. A well-known Dingplaats is Stonehenge in England. In the Netherlands, they were often built of wood.

Ruigoord has a tradition of holistic thinking and has provided a haven for various spiritual and naturalistic movements over the last 50 years. In recent years, the demand grew for a place where decision-making, ceremonies and rituals could take place.

Hence, the initiative for De Dingplaats was born. The circular form serves as a spatial condition for equal and inclusive decision-making. It is a nature-inclusive design, intended to reinforce the community and landscape over the next 50 years.

Collectief Ruigoord consists of artists, designers, doers and thinkers connected to Ruigoord. Thus, the concept for De Dingplaats emerged from the minds of many. The design is by scenographer and social designer Geartsje van der Zee (1991). Building design and construction are by Jim de Ruiter and Giacomo Cardoni.