Open side-bar Menu
 ArchShowcase
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Neushoorn in Leeuwarden, Netherlands by DP6 architecture studio with 3TO architects

 
April 19th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: DP6 architecture studio with 3TO architects

Neushoorn (Rhinoceros) in Leeuwarden is a popular music venue and a school, all in one building. In collaboration with 3TO, DP6 architecture studio has designed a building that can take a bit of rough treatment while stimulating creativity. A dynamic building that fits into its urban context and delivers its function as a music venue and school.

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

  • Architects: DP6 architecture studio with 3TO architects
  • Project: Neushoorn
  • Location: Ruiterskwartier 41, 8911 BP Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • Photography: Kristian Hoekman, Jonathan van Dijk
  • Software used: Revit
  • Client: Municipality of Leeuwarden
  • Technical Design: De Zwarte Hond, Groningen
  • Contractor: Hegeman Oost, Nijverdal
  • Consultants: Jansen Wesselink, Drachten Deerns Netherlands, Rijswijk Peutz, Haren Basalt, Nieuwegein Theateradvies, Amsterdam Stevens Van Dijck, Zoetermeer

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Neushoorn is the cultural lynchpin of Leeuwarden, accommodating the eponymous pop music venue plus café as well as the Friesland College’s creative education branch, D’Drive. In its presence and material use, the building expresses the dynamics of these functions. Notable details in het building include salvaged parts of demolished buildings and samples of graffiti cut from repurposed brick walls.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Urban context

The new Neushoorn complex is located at the corner of the old Ruiterskwartier and the Haniasteeg in the historic centre of Leeuwarden. The design builds on the original small-scale urban morphology with its winding streets and lanes. Architect Chris de Weijer (DP6 architecture studio): “It was quite a challenge, but we really wanted to preserve the old buildings and the atmosphere of the existing lanes while at the same time turning them into something new.” Sections of the existing premises at Ruiterskwartier 41 were retained and now form part of the main building. The main building was designed to be compact so room could be found at the rear of the premises to add a square to the historic Haniahof and create a public open space. De Weijer: “In this way the other side of Neushoorn also comes alive”.

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

Dynamic design

The design of Neushoorn provides for large-scale venues as well as more intimate areas, including two stages, a café, rehearsal rooms and cultural production facilities, as well as accommodation for workshops plus teaching rooms for D’Drive, the practical education branch of Friesland College.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Most of the main building at the corner of the Haniasteeg, Ruiterskwartier 41, was preserved, its ground floor accommodating the joint entrance lobby plus foyer and cloakroom. The stairs leading from the entrance lobby to the D’drive teaching facilities and the Neushoorn offices are covered by a glass roof that allows daylight to penetrate all the way into the building. Next to the existing building a new part was added, creating a ‘New Lane’ that separates and connects the two. This intermediate zone with the foyer and the study landscape establishes a clear functional link and at the same time makes for short routes to the theatres, studios, changing rooms, teaching facilities and offices. Project leader Kerstin Tresselt (DP6 architecture studio): “There is a real natural flow between the music venue and the school”. Some of the old buildings along the Schavernek have also been kept. Their facades, which have been given a slightly brighter colour scheme, hide the pop venue’s changing rooms and green room.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

The concert venues themselves are located at the rear of the building so the facades could be kept transparent to allow passers-by to see straight into the building and observe the hustle and bustle inside. De Weijer: “The special thing about this venue is that it is also in use during the day. We wanted to make these dynamics visible, which is why the ground floor facade is backed by the pop café and the first floor features a dance and drama studio presented as a glass box”.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

The use of materials includes existing and salvaged elements as well as a wealth of shapes and materials including glass, Corten steel and various types of wood. Some of the bricks from the demolished buildings were reused in the new facades. De Weijer: “As all the bits and pieces varied in size, there was no way we could end up with a smooth finish, so we opted for bare brickwork”.

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Acoustics

The acoustics can make or break a music venue. A good sound is all that matters to users of a music stage, which is why the sound production functions of the building have been designed as free-standing ‘boxes’ that maximise sound insulation. Acoustics also played a major role in the choice of walls, with the angled wall forming a theme within the building, while the wall next to the main staircase doubles as an acoustic panel specially designed by DP6.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Artists, audience members and students alike love the new music venue. Neushoorn boss Jan Pier Brands: “The design has been kept a bit rough around the edges, and that works really well. Every night is party night, and the building oozes energy during the day as well”.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

About DP6 architecture studio

DP6 architecture studio is a firm of architects active in infrastructure, public buildings, housing, urban planning, landscaping and interior design. Ever since the company was established in 1999 we have pursued our goal, which is to create special, aesthetically pleasing and innovative architecture that focuses on the requirements of the client.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

About 3TO architects

3TO architecten, established in February 1997 as a three-man partnership, was continued in 2000 by Carol Groenewegen and Wim van der Valk. Their work is characterised by construction, alteration and redevelopment projects with great attention to interspatial relationships of functions and an eye for detail. The last decade has seen a marked development towards theatre and stage venues.

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Kristian Hoekman

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

Image Courtesy © Jonathan van Dijk

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Image Courtesy © DP6 architecture studio

Tags: ,

Categories: Music Centre, Revit, School




© 2024 Internet Business Systems, Inc.
670 Aberdeen Way, Milpitas, CA 95035
+1 (408) 882-6554 — Contact Us, or visit our other sites:
TechJobsCafe - Technical Jobs and Resumes EDACafe - Electronic Design Automation GISCafe - Geographical Information Services  MCADCafe - Mechanical Design and Engineering ShareCG - Share Computer Graphic (CG) Animation, 3D Art and 3D Models
  Privacy PolicyAdvertise