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'Waaggebouw': a crowning glory for urban revitalisation in Eindhoven

The flamboyant orange facade of the 'Waaggebouw' (weighing house) provides a focal point for an urban revitalisation project in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. After many years of change, the neighbourhood has been crowned with a building that is both a place of community and a symbol of pride.

  • The seven storey building dominates the surroundings and simultaneously plays with dimensions: large format openings each extend over two floors.

    The seven storey building dominates the surroundings and simultaneously plays with dimensions: large format openings each extend over two floors.

  • The seven storey building dominates the surroundings and simultaneously plays with dimensions: large format openings each extend over two floors.
  • On account of its lateral positioning, diverse spatial settings have been created all around the building - some generous and open, others narrow and private.

    On account of its lateral positioning, diverse spatial settings have been created all around the building – some generous and open, others narrow and private.

  • Offering sweeping views across the neighbourhood, the rooftop terrace on the third floor provides both private and public open areas.

    Offering sweeping views across the neighbourhood, the rooftop terrace on the third floor provides both private and public open areas.

  • Offering sweeping views across the neighbourhood, the rooftop terrace on the third floor provides both private and public open areas.
  • 'Colourful' was a guiding design principle during revitalisation of the former working class district of Woensel-West in Eindhoven.

    'Colourful' was a guiding design principle during revitalisation of the former working class district of Woensel-West in Eindhoven.

  • The 'Buurtwerkkamer 360' community facility on the ground floor is the go to place for the neighbourhood and also incorporates the square into its activities.

    The 'Buurtwerkkamer 360' community facility on the ground floor is the go to place for the neighbourhood and also incorporates the square into its activities.

  • The 'Buurtwerkkamer 360' community facility on the ground floor is the go to place for the neighbourhood and also incorporates the square into its activities.
  • Orange is the determining colour - both for the prefabricated render elements in rippled texture and the homogeneous exterior rendering.

    Orange is the determining colour - both for the prefabricated render elements in rippled texture and the homogeneous exterior rendering.

  • Orange is the determining colour - both for the prefabricated render elements in rippled texture and the homogeneous exterior rendering.

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A new focal point in an urban revitalisation project

In the shape of the 'Waaggebouw', NEXT architects have completed a 20-year transformation process in the one-time infamous working class neighbourhood Woensel-West in Eindhoven. Visible from afar, the building incorporates a community centre and is a functional and architectural keystone of the entire neighbourhood. The flamboyant orange facade resolutely achieves the urban planning objective of reflecting the multifarious cultures using diverse colours and shapes.

Meet the architect

NEXT architects

"We wanted a building that would look monolithic and sculptural and emphasises the actual shape of the building. But if you come closer, you can see the relief, depth and texture and also experience the human scale... This was taken into account when developing the relief, the comb structure, but also in the colour mixing, which gives liveliness to the facade."

Jouke Sieswerda, architect, NEXT architects

VIDEO: Residential construction with a neighborhood center as the heart of a revitalization project in Eindhoven

Materials Overview library

Explore your options:

Visit our interactive Materials Overview library to explore different materials and aesthetics options. This tool allows you to compare and contrast different textures, colours and styles - allowing you to quickly visualise and optionise ideas for your building's facade design.

Visit the Materials Overview

Materialbibliothek, Collage von Materialien wie Putz und plastische Fassadenelemente

[ark] magazine

The StoJournal for Architect

This story appeared in [ark] magazine No. 69. The planning and execution trades are responsible for ensuring compliance with local standards and regulations, as well as realising and warranting of the architectural details and solutions included in this case study.

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