Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 2 of 32Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Stairs, HandrailCulture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - ColumnCulture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - FacadeCulture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - More Images+ 27

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  15000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Hugo de Jong
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Pilkington, Alhako, Gehlen zonwering, Gyproc, Nophadrain bv, Pilinkton Nederland, Schüco, VANDERSANDEN
Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 2 of 32
© Hugo de Jong

Text description provided by the architects. Sittard, a city in the most southern province of the Netherlands: Limburg, consists of a historical inner city with a medieval rampart surrounded by firing fields. The design for the area around the city border introduces a new city heart in a close visual and physical link to the historical inner city. A big meeting square is a crucial part of the design and opens to the firing fields and the old city centre.

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Facade
© Hugo de Jong
Section 01
Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 7 of 32
© Hugo de Jong

Together with a series of intimate shopping squares this forms a new vital heart. Via pedestrian paths that connect to the old routes a logical connection between old and new arises. Building volumes in which among others Hogeschool Zuyd, a museum, a film theatre and commercial space are accommodated, form the natural limit of the central square and the intimate series of public spaces.

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 8 of 32
© Hugo de Jong

The Ligne-Complex is connected to the central square by introducing a ‘’CityHall’’. This shared inside square is characterized by three big spheres, which house the film and lecture halls. These volumes float in order to maximise the floor space of the CityHall and create smaller, more intimate meeting spaces in addition to the high and big hall which offers space for events. Moreover, the CityHall symbolises how the different functions are interwoven which results in a shared use of facilities.

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Stairs, Chair, Handrail
© Hugo de Jong
Plan clean 01
Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 16 of 32
© Hugo de Jong

The CityHall is designed as an extended outdoor space to strengthen the link between the outside square and the inside hall. Outside goes inside, natural stone as flooring and a concrete wall with the pattern of Sittard’s city plan characterise the hall as a covered outdoor space.

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Image 20 of 32
© Hugo de Jong

The building’s architecture is created after an analysis of size, scale, and use of materials in the historical core, the facades along the Rijksweg and their colour nuances. Four shades of bricks which are applied in vertical strips in a light tone, form the pallet of the exterior facades. By having irregular lengths, high concrete strips give size and scale to the facade. On the square outside, a modern tower is present in the sight axis to the old church tower. This tower forms the central orientation and accessibility point when entering or exiting the parking garage by offering footbridges to several floors of the new building. The facade materials refer to the old inner city by using the same colour bricks.

Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur - Windows
© Hugo de Jong

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Sittard, The Netherlands

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Culture and Education Center / Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur" 09 Feb 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/891968/culture-and-education-center-jeanne-dekkers-architectuur> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.