Transparent and future-proof town hall in a green setting
The task
Between the Veluwezoom and the IJssel Valley, Gemeente Rheden has settled in a new town hall designed according to high-circular ambitions. The building design is inspired by the rich history of the place and gives the beautiful Gelderland landscape the leading role.
The town hall is located at a central point between the 7 villages that together form the municipality at the foot of the Rhederoord estate. It is a strategic place with a lot of history where, in the 17th century, there was an inn and later the famous hotel 'De Engel', where artists, painters and writers such as Louis Couperus and Simon Carmiggelt stayed. In this beautiful location, the municipality asked ZENBER Architects and DP6 for a new home: open, transparent and hospitable, where you can work together in a pleasant, safe, healthy work environment.
"Transparent and future-proof town hall in a green landscape"
About this project
The compact new town hall is 2,000 m² smaller than its predecessor, so that it could be positioned more spacious on the plot and optimally oriented to the two landscapes. This also left space for a spacious entrance area and garden around the building.
Under the left wing of the new building, the basement has been reused. At the corner of this, the council chamber is positioned, prominent and transparent. The transparent atrium at the turning point of the building forms the public heart where employees, residents and visitors meet. Through the welcoming awning, visitors are invited to enter the town hall here.
Staircase landscape in the atrium as a connecting heart
In the hospitable heart of the building, a wooden staircase climbs up with a view over the IJssel Valley at the front and a magnificent view of the Veluwezoom and Hederoord estate on the first floor. Public functions such as counters, meeting rooms and the wedding and council rooms surround the atrium, with semi-public functions such as the dining and work cafe and meeting area behind them. The flexible working environment of the employees is located on the floors.
“A town hall where history, nature and community come together.”
Highlights
Location and history
The building was designed to move with the landscape environment of the Veluwezoom and IJssel Valley, while respecting the rich history of the place.
Hospitable and open design
The atrium and the council chamber are transparent and inviting, and the stairway landscape connects people and landscapes.
Flexibility and future-proofing
Modular design and demountable materials make the building adaptable and sustainable.
Energy neutral
Heat and cold storage, solar energy and green roofs contribute to an energy-neutral work environment.
Green environment
The design reinforces biodiversity and offers a pleasant living environment for both employees and nature.
Credits
Transparent and future-proof town hall in a green setting
The task
Between the Veluwezoom and the IJssel Valley, Gemeente Rheden has settled in a new town hall designed according to high-circular ambitions. The building design is inspired by the rich history of the place and gives the beautiful Gelderland landscape the leading role.
The town hall is located at a central point between the 7 villages that together form the municipality at the foot of the Rhederoord estate. It is a strategic place with a lot of history where, in the 17th century, there was an inn and later the famous hotel 'De Engel', where artists, painters and writers such as Louis Couperus and Simon Carmiggelt stayed. In this beautiful location, the municipality asked ZENBER Architects and DP6 for a new home: open, transparent and hospitable, where you can work together in a pleasant, safe, healthy work environment.
About this projct
The compact new town hall is 2,000 m² smaller than its predecessor, so that it could be positioned more spacious on the plot and optimally oriented to the two landscapes. This also left space for a spacious entrance area and garden around the building.
Under the left wing of the new building, the basement has been reused. At the corner of this, the council chamber is positioned, prominent and transparent. The transparent atrium at the turning point of the building forms the public heart where employees, residents and visitors meet. Through the welcoming awning, visitors are invited to enter the town hall here.
Staircase landscape in the atrium as a connecting heart
In the hospitable heart of the building, a wooden staircase climbs up with a view over the IJssel Valley at the front and a magnificent view of the Veluwezoom and Hederoord estate on the first floor. Public functions such as counters, meeting rooms and the wedding and council rooms surround the atrium, with semi-public functions such as the dining and work cafe and meeting area behind them. The flexible working environment of the employees is located on the floors.
"Transparent and future-proof town hall in a green landscape"
Identity, history and landscape can be felt in the interior
The identity of the place is reflected in detail in the interior. For example, the wood of the paneling, the custom furniture and the upholstery of the stairs come from beech from the neighboring Middachten estate. The tapestry in the council chamber is made of wool from the Rhenen sheep herd; an image inspired by the paintings of local painter Theo Goedvriend who grew up in Hotel De Engel as the son of the then director. The angel from the hotel of the same name floats under the shed roof of the new town hall.
The new building has been designed in such a way that the hull is separate from the installation. Thanks to a modular grid and a large floor height, it is a flexible building that can anticipate future changes. The building and interior are equipped with demountable materials and detailing as much as possible, so that building components can also be reused. For example, the façade is made of dry-stacked bricks and is only jointed.
Atrium as a 'green lung'
The building is energy neutral, uses an ice buffer and solar energy and has green roofs. The atrium acts as a “green lung” through plants that “climb” up the stairs, thereby contributing to a healthy work environment.
Because the site is much greener and softer than before, it contributes to cooling and the natural infiltration of rainwater. The plants are in line with the different landscapes of the Veluwezoom and IJssel Valley: a forest with native trees and shrubs, a rolling landscape with grasses, gorse, and a meadow with the 'Rhedens' flower mixture. This makes ecological connections, strengthens biodiversity and naturally infiltrates rainwater.
“A town hall where history, nature and community come together.”
Highlights
Location and history
The building was designed to move with the landscape environment of the Veluwezoom and IJssel Valley, while respecting the rich history of the place.
Hospitable and open design
The atrium and the council chamber are transparent and inviting, and the stairway landscape connects people and landscapes.
Flexibility and future-proofing
Modular design and demountable materials make the building adaptable and sustainable.
Energy neutral
Heat and cold storage, solar energy and green roofs contribute to an energy-neutral work environment.
Green environment
The design reinforces biodiversity and offers a pleasant living environment for both employees and nature.
Credits