Nieuwe markt
On the Nieuwe Markt, right in the heart of Groningen, we have designed a striking hospitality building. It is a place where history, modern innovation and the vibrancy of the city centre come together. The concept for this two-storey building is a bold and contemporary reinterpretation of Dutch Mannerism.
The original site and brief soon proved too limited for the city’s growing ambitions. Whilst plans in 2013 had focused on a small-scale apartment block with retail space, the arrival of a global restaurant brand in 2014 called for a complete rethink.
The challenge was complex: three dilapidated buildings no longer met modern requirements by any stretch of the imagination, whilst the limited space on the plot required the preservation and clever integration of a historic townhouse on Poelestraat.
Transforming this site into a large-scale, high-quality hospitality venue covering 1,367 m² presented major technical challenges. To achieve the desired deep texture in the façade, a complex three-dimensional relief was required. Consequently, creating this intricate decorative brickwork – featuring hundreds of vertical and horizontal patterns – using traditional bricklaying techniques would have been prohibitively expensive. As a result, the project was at risk of running into difficulties due to the budget constraints and the client’s tight schedule.
Working closely with the innovative adhesive specialist Verbaan Systems, we designed a bold solution that completely redefines the boundaries of brick architecture.
We introduced a first for the Dutch non-residential construction sector by bonding the traditional bricks off-site with the utmost precision to form prefabricated panels. These elements were then transported to the city centre, fitted directly to the concrete shell and traditionally pointed.
The result is an open and distinctive building that is ready for the future: a vibrant meeting place that can accommodate 450 guests, beautifully incorporating the historic mansion, and where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Groningen skyline from the roof terrace.
Location Groningen, Nederland
Yer 2017
