Letter from the Netherlands: we chart the nation's new architecture projects

last updated 18 September 2022

Cacao Factory, Helmond, by Cepezed

This project in the country's southern city of Helmond houses a cultural cluster, including a film theatre, an exhibition space, catering facilities and workspaces for companies in the creative industry. Created, as its name suggests, in an old cocoa factory, it was designed by architects Cepezed, who have reference the building's original atmosphere through the use of modern industrial and aluminium details.

Daytime, exterior view of the Cacao Factory, Helmond, white and glass fronted building, grass lawn, trees, pathway, parked cars, blue cloudy sky

Daytime, exterior view of Cacao Factory, Helmond, glass panelled walls, strobe lighting inside, trees and surrounding area, blue cloudy sky

Daytime image within the grounds of Cacao Factory, Helmond, white painted wall with slim archways, side view of stairwell, concrete floor, tall pillars, glass panelled ceiling allowing light through casting shadows, windows to the left wall, white vase with yellow flowers, spotlights glowing orange

Daytime image within the grounds of Cacao Factory, Helmond, corridor with white painted textured walls and slim archways, front view of stairwell, concrete floor, tall pillars, glass panelled ceiling allowing light through casting shadows, visitors, spotlights glowing orange, blue cloudy sky

Inside image of Cacao Factory, Helmond, visitors gathered and walking around the lobby area, metal stairwell, white painted textured wall and slim archways, concrete floor, tall pillars, glass panelled ceiling, visitors, spotlights glowing orange, blue dusk sky

Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, by Wiel Arets Architects

In an attempt to infuse life back into neglected residential neighbourhoods, social housing associations in the Netherlands have taken on the role of developers. Campus Hoogvliet in Rotterdam, commissioned in 2007 and completed in 2014, is a case in point. For this project, the local association tasked Wiel Arets Architects with creating a cluster of six buildings - adding up to 100 residential units and a sport centre - within the site. The architects wrapped the buildings in a subtle glass facade.

Daytime, exterior image of Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, white flat roof building, multiple windows, tall trees, gravel and soil terrain pathway around the building, blue sky

Inside view of Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, white tiled walls and ceiling, grey floor, white stairwell with lime green transparent panels, strobe ceiling lights, windows to the left letting in light, view of tree tops

Inside image of Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, white tiled walls and ceiling with strobe lights, white stone steps, white stairwell with blue transparent panels, glass fronted entrance area, grey floor, surrounding area can be seen through the ground level glass

Inside image of Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, white tiled walls and ceiling with strobe lights, white stairwell with blue transparent panels, grey floor, surrounding area can be seen through the window on the right wall

Interior room in Campus Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, white walls, ceiling and floor, large windows around the room, with daytime view of the surrounding buildings and trees, blue cloudy sky

De Rotterdam by OMA

De Rotterdam's dramatic complex of three 150-meter-high towers, designed by OMA, proudly looks over the Maas river, a stone's throw from UNStudio's iconic Erasmus Bridge. The Netherlands' largest building is designed as a vertical city housing offices, apartments, a hotel, and conference facilities. The ground floor is accessible for the general public.

Exterior image of De Rotterdam's dramatic complex of three 150-meter-high towers, surrounding water, bridge, boat on the water, buildings, trees, dusk sky

Close up shot of the exterior and interior structure of De Rotterdam

View from a high rise window at De Rotterdam , white walls and floor, tall windows, view of adjacent wings of the building with some lights on, surrounding landscape to the bottom left, buildings, water, roads, cars, trees , grey misty sky

Exterior image of De Rotterdam's dramatic complex of three 150-meter-high towers, surrounding illuminated sky line, water, bridge, boats on the water, buildings, dusk sky

Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, by TenBrasWestinga

Dordrecht's brand new Cultural Centre is a former power station, composed of various machine and boiler halls in different historical styles that have recently been transformed into a contemporary cultural warehouse by Amersfoort-based architects TenBrasWestinga. The six different cultural institutions housed within are linked by an internal street with a glazed roof that runs through the full length of the building.

Inside view of Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, grey seating gallery, steps with metal framing, wooden stage floor, blurred person playing a double bass, music sheet stands, black piano, floor standing speakers, blue spotlights, high arched ceiling with black metal beams, stage lighting on black ceiling frame white walls with large windows with view of surrounding area

View from the inside of the Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, wooden floor, black stairwell, rustic stone walls, spotlights, glazed roof with black metal framework

View from the inside dining area of the Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, wooden floor, rustic brick walls, glazed roof with black metal framework, dining tables and chairs, bar and serving counters, waiting staff, planted tree in the centre in a brick surround, tall windows letting in daylight

Interior image of the Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, dark room, dark grey walls, ceiling and floor, viewing gallery and safety barrier, metal ceiling framework with stage lighting, ceiling spotlights, looking down to the ground floor with blue lighting, steps, windows

Interior image of the Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, wooden stage floor, rows of auditorium seating, high dark ceiling with framework of stage lights, ceiling lighting, steps at either side of the seats, grey stone walls, dark coloured stage curtains

View from inside a corridor at the Cultural Centre, Dordrecht, rustic brick wall to the right, grey and orange partition wall to the left, doorways, black stairwell, orange gloss floor, ceiling spotlights

G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, by OMA

G-star RAW's new headquarters in Amsterdam (right by the city's A10 highway) are a distinct example of a thoroughly contemporary office building with a strong identity. Created by OMA, the 140m-long building was designed to reflect the fashion brand's ethos; for example, the internal core arrangement allows free interaction between all creative departments, enhancing the spirit of collaboration.

Daytime, outside image of G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, grey paved surrounding pathway, sloped stairwell, black hand rails, blue cloudy sky

Interior view of the lobby at G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, white floor, white curved divider wall with black seating on the ground floor, grey pillars and beams, white tiled ceiling with strobe lighting, ground floor and upper floor desks and open plan office space, tall glass windows with view of surrounding area, car park and parked jeep, grey sky

Interior view of the lobby at G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, white floor, centre stairwell, glass viewing barrier, dark grey pillars and beams, white tiled ceiling with strobe lighting, ground floor and upper floor desks and open plan office space, dark grey divider walls, tall glass windows, black floor standing body mannequins, with blue upper body clothing at the top of the stairs

Interior meeting space at the G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, white top, wooden leg large meeting room table with grey chairs , wooden panel wall to the right, grey panel far wall with a tv screen mounted, white board on silver stand, grey marble effect floor, grey blueprint design square floor design beneath the meeting room table, robot dog in a display box built into the wooden wall

Open plan space in the G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, grey marble effect tiled floor, grey pillars, glazed walls, grey cabinets in a long row dividing the room, table and chairs, white coffee table with a white padded chair placed on top, white tiled ceiling with strobe lights

Daytime, outside image of G-Star RAW headquarters, Amsterdam, grey paved surrounding pathway, surrounding area blurred in the distance, grey cloudy sky

Grotius Building, Nijmegen, by Benthem Crouwel

The Grotius Building by Amsterdam-based architecture practice Benthem Crouwel is the latest asset for Radboud University in Nijmegen. A continuous, reflective, three-meter-wide plastic canopy around the entire building (and on each floor) shields the interiors from direct sunlight, while allowing visual interaction with the surrounding park setting.

Daytime, outside view of Grotius Building, Nijmegen, white building with glazed walls, high white wall and black metal fenced pathway to the frontg entrance, cars parked to the right, trees, blue sky

Left image: Stairwell and landings on the different floor levels, white glazed ceiling, casting shadows on the glass fronted levels. Right: white viewing gallery, spiral white staircase, white ceiling with large circular lighting design, glazed walls with view of surrounding area

Left Image: Daytime, outside image of Grotius Building, Nijmegen hidden in the surrounding tall trees and shrubs, clear blue sky. Right image: Mirrored Stairwell and landings on the different floor levels, white glazed ceiling, casting shadows on the glass fronted levels.

daytime, outside image of the Grotius Building, Nijmegen, view from the glazed walls divided by white canopy design features, defining each floor level, surrounding trees, blue sky

View of the Grotius Building, Nijmegen, white roof terrace, feature glazed black framed viewing wall, blue sky, tree tops to the right

View of the auditorium in the Grotius Building, Nijmegen, rows of beige seating, black steps, yellow walls, white ceiling with strobe lighting

KIEM, Dordrecht, by Mecanoo

KIEM is Dordrecht's umbrella body of five institutions that care for the education of children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Designed by Amsterdam-based architects Mecanoo, the complex is divided into four 'houses'. Each one stands out by its different facade colour - furthering the architects' aim of breaking the overall volume into smaller parts in order to create a greater sense of comfort, security and human scale.

Daytime, aerial view of KIEM, Dordrecht, buildings surrounded by trees, red pathway, road, small cluster of people at the front entrance, buildings in the distance, blue cloudy sky

Gymnasium in the KIEM building, high ceiling with black metal beams, strobe lighting, neutral walls, red floor marked out with sport lines, adult supervisors, children playing sport games, sports equipment, windows and doorways

Inside lobby area at KIEM, Dordrecht, grey gloss floor, lime green divers, curved wooden bookcases, glazed wall to the right, red seat, white ceiling with angular lights, gold dome lights on black frames, group of adults and children walking through the building

Daytime, outside close up view of the KIEM buildings, red pathway and grey road at the front, trees, cloudy blue sky

Rebobank Westelijke Mijnstreek, Sittard, by Mecanoo

Mecanoo Architects also worked on this banking complex, the Rabobank Westelijke Mijnstreek in Sittardthe. The project joins several smaller bank branches into one big regional establishment. The entire ground floor, which includes flexible office spaces and a restaurant, is open to the public.

Interior view of the lobby at the Rebobank Westelijke Mijnstreek, Sittard, grey slate tiled floor, wooden stairwells encased in white borders, tall white and grey curtains in front of a red seating gallery, glazed front entrance and office space on the 1st and 2nd floors, blurred images of people in the building

Interior view of a hallway at the Rebobank Westelijke Mijnstreek, Sittard, wooden curved gallery wall, wooden slat walls, black framed glazed doorways, view of people working at desks , blurred image of person stood looking through an office space doorway

Inside view of a communal area in Rebobank Westelijke Mijnstreek, Sittard, neutral patterned floor, wooden table and black stools, wooden cased seating booth, red seats, with table, people sat at a table with laptops, lighting, white ceiling with lights

Interior view of the lobby at the Rebobank Westelijke Mijnstreek, Sittard, grey slate tiled floor, wooden stairwells encased in white borders,, glazed front entrance and office space on the 1st and 2nd floors, blurred images of people in the building, woman stood at central desk with chairs, with vase with flowers

Rotterdam Central Station by Benthem Crouwel, MVSA Architects and West 8

Rotterdam Central Station is the first completion in a series of ongoing large Dutch train station renovations - similar projects in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem are currently in construction. This transport hub, a collaborative effort of Benthem Crouwel Architects, MVSA Meyer & Van Schooten Architects and West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture, is carefully integrated into the existing urban context and welcomes travellers into Rotterdam city with a touch of metropolitan grandeur.

Daytime, aerial view of Rotterdam Central Station, surrounding landscape, buildings, roads, trees, cars, houses, rail tracks, blue sky

Daytime, front view of Rotterdam Central Station, paved walkway, visitors, trees, adjacent building, blue sky, white clouds

Inside view of Rotterdam Central Station, concrete pathway, glazed wall to the right, panelled ceiling, spotlights, yellow wall panelling, blue neon light, lit tunnel in the backdrop

Inside Rotterdam Central Station , wooden panelled wall and ceiling, stairwell with gold handrail and glass panels, ceiling lights, male visitor walking by

View looking out from the Rotterdam Central Station entrance, wooden archway entrance, ceiling lights, view of high buildings and city landscape, visitors, blue dusk sky

Daytime, aerial view of Rotterdam Central Station, surrounding city landscape, buildings, roads, trees, cars, houses, rail tracks

Cultural Centre Rozet, Arnhem, by Neutelings Riedijk

This cultural centre is Neutelings Riedijk Architects' winning entry to a competition launched by the municipality of Arnhem in 2009. The 12.000 sq m building contains exhibition spaces, a library, a music and dance school, art studios, an auditorium, a grand café and a bookstore. A central route through the building acts as an extension of the street, connecting Arnhem's historical centre city on the one side, with post-war developments on the other.

External view of the Cultural Centre Rozet, Arnhem, tall building, windows, lighting, red pathway, people, adjacent building, street lights, blue dusk sky

Daytime, aerial view of Cultural Centre Rozet, Arnhem, surrounding city landscape, buildings, river, bridge roads, grass, trees, cars, houses

Highway Support Centre, Assen, by 24H Architecture

This Highway Support Centre in Assen by 24H Architecture was created for the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the province of Drenthe, using an environmentally conscious approach. Trees on the site were used for the big wooden umbrella that covers the salt storage space, while solar panels on the roof provide the energy required for both the centre's main spaces and the adjacent offices.

Daytime, external image of the salt storage at the Highway Support Centre, Assen, triangular orange roof, concrete area around the structure, yellow tractor, man walking, clear blue sky

Daytime image of the salt storage at the Highway Support Centre, Assen, triangular orange roof

Internal view of the Highway Support Centre, Assen, orange framed windows, black door in-between large dark wood panels, grey floor, planted tree in a white pot, lighting

Internal view of the Highway Support Centre, Assen, orange framed windows, large dark wood panel, grey floor, planted tree in a white pot, lighting, view of the surrounding area

Daytime, external image of the Highway Support Centre, Assen, concrete ground, bare trees, clear blue sky

Eemcentrum, Amersfoort, by Neutelings Riedijk

Eemcentrum by Neutelings Riedijk is the city of Amersfoort's new cultural hub, housing a library, a school of the arts, regional archives and an art gallery, in a stacked configuration. The public square outside continues within, where a central exhibition hall, stepped terraces and open vistas are designed to promote the building's public character and stimulate interaction between different users.

Nigh time, external image of the Eemcentrum, Amersfoort, circular grass verge with bare plants, grey patterned walkway, visitors, building lit up by internal lights, dark blue cloudy sky

Internal open plan room in the Eemcentrum building, white walls with viewing windows, white ceiling with cube light design, wooden floor, wall art, long grey table and benches in the centre of the room

Inside view of the colourful dining area in the Eemcentrum building, wooden floor, wooden counter, people, wooden tables and colourful chairs, glass front entrance, colourful artwork on the walls and ceiling, white beams

Roof terrace and patio area at the Eemcentrum building, wooden centre platform bench, people, white walls with metal bubble design, glass viewing area, wooden floor, glass door and windows, blue sky

Interior view in the Eemcentrum building, wooden floor, visitors, glass framed wall to the left, stairwell, book cases and books, ceiling spotlights

Interior view of the Eemcentrum building, wooden floor, steps, stair rails, rows of wooden book cases and display units on different levels, white walls, visitors, ceiling lights, viewing windows in the walls

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Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).

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