Kwakkel Showroom in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands by Wiel Arets Architects

Article source: Wiel Arets Architects

Located in a newly formed industrial area within the municipality of Apeldoorn between the city center and the national highway, Kwakkel, which distributes building and sanitary ware, required new facilities for their diverse program; administration, showroom, storage, service area, as well as cafeteria and restaurant overlaying the customary showroom program with additional public use.

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

• Architects: Wiel Arets Architects
• Project: Kwakkel Showroom
• Location: Apeldoorn Noord, the Netherlands
• Project Team: Wiel Arets, William Fung, Harold Hermans, Philippe Dirix, Carl Augustijns
• Collaborators: Harold Aspers, Elsa Caetano, Jacques van Eyck, Frank Menzel, Mai Henriksen, Markus Elminger
• Models: William Fung, Sebastian Nau
• Site supervisors: Harold Hermans
• Date of design: 1999 – 2001
• Date of completion: 2001 – 2002
• Photographs: Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter
• Client: Kwakkel B.V.
• Program: Showroom, offices, storage accomodation
• Area: 5.400 m2

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Consultants:

• Mechanical & electrical consultant: Huygen installatieadviseurs B.V., Hollander B.V.
• Building physics consultant: Cauberg-Huygen Raadgevende Ingenieurs B,V.
• Structural consultant: ABT adviesbureau voor bouwtechniek B.V.
• Building contractor: Draisma B.V.

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Bibliography:

• Gerrit Das, Bouw wereld, Doetinchem 2002
• World Architecture WA 148, Beijing October 2002, pp. 16-109.
• Harm Tilman “Strakke gavels in zacht plaatmateriaal”, de Architect 34(Febr. 2003), pp. 62-65.
• “Nacht van de Architectuur”, Juryrapport, 22 November 2002
• Jaarboek 2002 > 03, NAI Uitgevers, pp 132- 135.
• Massimo Faiferri, “Wiel Arets, opere e progetti”, Electa, Milano 2003, pp. 146- 152.
• Dutch! “Showroom Kwakkel”, interior 130 (Nov. 2003) pp. 178/ 179.
• Architectuurprijs Apeldoorn 2002

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Occupying the entire site, the program was equally divided into exterior and interior spaces. The main volume, which consists of interior program, was stretched laterally across the site, following its sinuous profile, while at the same time distributing storage and parking areas on the remainder of the site.

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

The various users, whether on foot or traveling by vehicle, enter the premises by passing underneath the center of the main volume.  From here the main entrance hall, which is similarly accessible form the two main exterior spaces, is revealed and functions both as cashier, security and transfer point. It’s main stairway leads to the upper level program that consists of exhibition, office, cafeteria and restaurant space. Large terraces at either end of the building extend the upper level program.

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

The two levels are spatially and visually connected via staircase and roof and floor perforations, which convert to internal patios in the showroom. Their configurations organize a internal route through the building, in which the users perception alters between focusing on presentations and relaxing within the external patios..

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

With the exception for the clear glazed foyer, the building is completely enveloped in translucent white polycarbonate panels. The translucent skin, combined with the various internal patios carved into the volume of the building, form various lighting effects along its articulated surface. This, along with the strong vertical frame of the polycarbonate panels enhances the geometry of the building whilst altering and shifting the perception of it from various vantage points.

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Image Courtesy Kim Zwarts, Jan Bitter

Tags: Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

Categories: Mall, Mixed use, Showroom

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