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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.

Experience centre Par’Course in Valkenburg, The Netherlands by MoederscheimMoonen Architects

 
January 1st, 2022 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: MoederscheimMoonen Architects

In the municipality of Valkenburg in the heart of hilly South Limburg, you’ll find experience centre Par’Course. Here, various buildings form a multifunctional environment which consists of a gastronomy centre housed in a monumental old brewery, a cycling and sports centre along with the Shimano Experience Centre, and the Black Label Hotel. MoederscheimMoonen Architects, commissioned by project developer Wyckerveste, was responsible for the urban design and the design of the buildings.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

  • Architects: MoederscheimMoonen Architects
  • Project: Experience centre Par’Course
  • Location: Valkenburg, The Netherlands
  • Photography: Bart van Hoek
  • GROSS FLOOR AREA: 15,000 m2
  • Client: Wyckerveste Adviseurs
  • Landscape architect: Dolmans Landscaping Group & Jacques van Leuken
  • Structural engineer: Palte B.V.
  • Installation consultant: Deerns B.V.
  • Construction: Jongen Bouwpartners, Derckx, Bouwbedrijf Peeters & Pluminfra BV

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

An area with a history

The grounds of the old Leeuw brewery have a rich history going back to 1820. The water mill, now a national monument, was initially located at the Geul River to serve a factory which produced gunpowder. Years later, in 1875, the mill was used for paper, and in 1886 the grounds were purchased by the Aachener Export Brewery, who later continued its operations under the name of Leeuw Beer. In the years following, the factory was further expanded and it grew organically, with the building always in service of the production process. In 2005 the brewery left this location, taking the large silos with them a bit later. With the buildings’ various scars, the grounds remained neglected and decaying.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

A place of potential

The redevelopment of the former brewery came into being with the commissioning by developer Wyckerveste, who, along with the municipality and province, wanted to breathe new life into the historic surroundings. Thanks to the hilly landscape, a range of cultural heritage, and unique sports events such as the Amstel Gold Race, Valkenburg has grown into a tourist attraction, but the tourism is seasonal and visitors often stay no more than one night in the area.

The redevelopment of the Leeuw grounds was an opportunity to strengthen the existing economy and culture of Valkenburg with a new concept in a unique location. Because of its position near the centre, at the bottom of the Cauberg Hill, the area is a natural junction between the cycling paths and hiking trails extending out from Pagina 2 van 5 Valkenburg centre. Additionally, it is directly connected to the wandering Geul River, the open-air theatre, and the garden of the Holland Casino. So, it’s a place full of potential!

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

The concept

The concept for Par’Course is all about two core values: connection and experience. Because the area is connected to the rest of Valkenburg and the surrounding areas, visitors naturally run into Par’Course along their route no matter whether they are walking, cycling, or driving a car. Additionally, the area had to function as a new crowd pleaser. To define a clear proposition, Wyckerveste therefore chose a thematisation for the buildings which perfectly coordinates with Valkenburg and its surroundings as well as provides a distinct addition to the existing offerings. This resulted in two pillars for Par’Course: the Food Experience and the Cycle Experience. Two worlds of experience which are directly connected with cycling capital Valkenburg and Burgundian Limburg.

The urban design concept

While the client initially intended to develop one large building for all functions, MoederscheimMoonen presented a different vision during the closed architect selection process. The firm believed this spot must not be just one building but an environment. That it must become a part of Valkenburg, including streets and squares full of character. By incorporating the functions in not just one building, but instead distributing them properly over various cubic contents, a nice interplay of buildings has been created. The public areas between the buildings can be used for activities and events, and they exhibit diversity of scale and atmosphere. MoederscheimMoonen won the architect selection with this plan, and the urban design plan was subsequently realised in close collaboration with various stakeholders.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

The urban design character

Because of the Geul River and the surrounding buildings, the old Leeuw site had many encircling walls and boundaries, which made the setting feel confined. These encircling walls and various small buildings were preserved in the urban design plan as much as possible. The old caretaker and labourers’ residences are important for the quality and the atmosphere of the site, and they give the area a sense of security. Several large halls around the original entrance to the factory grounds were demolished, which created new openings in the confined area. This enabled the spot to be connected to the surrounding nature, the urban fabric, and hiking trails and cycling paths.

The old as well as the new buildings which contribute to the ‘encircling’ of the site and the formation of the squares have all been given the character of a village. These buildings have shaped roofs and stand firmly on the ground. The centrally positioned new construction, including the unique expansion element on the brewery, has a modern and technical presence which reflects the contemporary agenda of this site.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

The public area

An important role in the winning concept was given to the public area. It was centrally located as an extension of the buildings and it had to be an environment where activities and events would be organised. The design of the outdoor space (Dolman Landscaping Group) is characterised by a patchwork of elements, making it a pleasant spot.

Surrounding the historic brewery is a raised patio made of concrete elements and bordered by greenery. Further, a sand-coloured stone was chosen, which gives shape to the squares including oval green elements for trees and a lawn. Brick and greenery are used in the transition zones of various buildings to create intimacy around the immediate outdoor spaces.

The large square is characterised by the centuries-old trees which have been preserved and which form the square’s focal point. Between the buildings, a combination of urban areas with squares, alleys and views has emerged. The Geul River is visible in different locations; there are various crossing spots to the landscape and near the different outdoor terraces surrounding the buildings.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

By now, the public area has already been able to host multiple events and exhibitions. As the starting and ending points for activities in the hills of Limburg, the public area has also become a genuine gathering spot for cyclists and hikers.

The brewery as landmark

An important place in the concept of Par’Course has been reserved for the brewery. The building which will house future restaurant and food concepts is the origin of the former factory grounds, with the national monument water mill as living proof of that. The outside of the historic brewery has been fully restored and its insignificant additions, incorporated throughout the years, have been removed. This brought the building back to its original core volume, which consists of the national monument water mill, the brewery areas, and various brick halls.

Between the brewery and the brick halls, the building has been expanded with a modern volume positioned on the concrete column heads of the removed silos. The expansion has focused a large window on the wandering Geul River and, together with the vertical distinctive feature, forms an area landmark. The façade of this new volume is related to the Shimano Experience Centre next door and is covered with rectangular sheets of russetcoloured anodized expanded aluminium. The varying sheet measurements give the façade the necessary differentiation and, in some spots, the orientation of the expanded aluminium alternates, which results in the reflection of daylight illuminating several façade panels.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

The other parts of the brewery have been restored to their original state in various ways. A recognisable difference in colour has been applied between the original white brewery and the brick halls. Here and there, focused cuts in the façade have been introduced to make the building suitable for hospitality and catering purposes. In the interior of the brewery, it has been decided to preserve the layered nature of its turbulent history to offer the hospitality concepts an industrial, lived-in shell as their canvas.

The Shimano Experience Centre

The Par’Course building which is situated most centrally is the Shimano Experience Centre. The Centre is the ultimate place for Shimano, where visitors can become familiar with the sports of cycling, angling and rowing. The building also houses a bicycle clothing shop, yoga studio, gym, and conference room. The conference room is used for business and cycling events.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

The building is the most modern one in the area and, in terms of materialisation, communicates with the expansion of the brewery. The skirting board is fully made of glass, allowing the upper volumes to appear as if they are floating. The façade is made of anodised expanded aluminium. The varied sheet measurements give the façade the necessary differentiation and, in some places, the orientation of the expanded aluminium alternates. Daylight does the rest!

Brand experience is the focus of this building. In the straightforward shell is a lively and fresh interior which has been designed by Shimano to signify discovery and experience. The Experience Centre offers visitors the opportunity to try out Shimano’s products in the surrounding area going fishing for a day in the fishing pond specially created for that purpose or cycling in the hilly surroundings. Here you are genuinely encouraged to experience these three outdoor sports.

The Black Label Hotel and Cycle Centre bicycle rental

At the eastern-most part of Par’Course you’ll find the Black Label Hotel. The building’s main shape is wandering and, in that way, plays a large role in the urban design concept. The building follows the curve of the Geul River and, with its perpendicular angle, creates two squares: the main square and the hotel’s entrance square.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

From the conceptual idea, the building plays an important role in the fabric of urban design and has therefore been given a traditional main shape with a roof design. A finely designed wooden façade gives the building a modern presence. Because of the horizontal section, the mezzanine floors are visible. The vertical wooden ribs have been cut away at the windows of the hotel rooms.

In the hotel, MoederscheimMoonen designed a distinct shell in which the operator has created a dynamic interior for Black Label Hotels, including a large restaurant on the ground floor. The sport of bicycle racing also plays a role at the hotel. There are dressing and shower rooms and a spot to clean bicycles and stall them Pagina 5 van 5 securely on the ground floor.

Opposite the hotel is the building that houses the Cycle Centre, one of the largest mobility businesses in the region, which organises cycling events throughout Limburg. The building follows the hotel’s analogy. It is part of the encircling walls of the grounds and, through the materialisation, is recognisable as a new element in the whole. Together with the hotel and an old villa, it forms a welcoming entrance square.

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © Bart van Hoek

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Image Courtesy © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

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Category: Experience Centre




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