Brouwershof

Brouwershof

OZ as Architects

The area around the station in Amersfoort has changed radically in recent years. A prestigious metropolitan office boulevard now links the station to the centre of the town. The recent completion of the Brouwershof complex in accordance with the design by OeverZaaijer architecture and urbanism means the last subarea of the boulevard has been completed. The boulevard consists principally of inward-looking medium high-rise blocks around an inner courtyard. Brouwershof is the exception to this. The three blocks of buildings that make up the complex are constructed enveloping a square in a U shape. The square opens up onto Stationsstraat, while its 'back' follows the train tracks. A hotel with 116 rooms is located in the virtually detached wing on Brouwerstraat, while the wing on the opposite side is reserved for offices and a conference centre.


The blocks are of varying heights, resulting in a lively silhouette. All the technical systems in the complex have been hidden in a separate technical storey, meaning that the building's silhouette is not interrupted by any unsightly boxes, etc. The high-rise building with eleven storeys and the technical storey is a striking feature seen from the centre of the square. The high-rise building bisects the block parallel to the railway line. On the conference side of the tower, this block has six - and on the hotel side eight – storeys, plus a double-height plinth course. The hotel and the conference centre both have six storeys, plus a double-height plinth course. The high-rise building marks out the entrance to the offices on the square side. On the railway side, the tower serves as a clear landmark for the Brouwershof as a whole.


The U shape chosen creates an inviting public square that contributes to a pleasant indoor climate in the offices area. The 'square area' adjoining the conference centre is laid out as a green garden, with trees. On the hotel side, the square offers space for an attractive terrace in the sun. A stone 'runner' and a simple pond define the various areas of the square in a clear, logical way, whereby people can naturally find their way. The design of the blocks themselves is geared to contact with the public. A transparent plinth course, two storeys high, allows the outside world to merge seamlessly from street level into the indoor world of the building. With the exception of the tower, the higher storeys clustered around the square have more closed exterior walls of red brick. On the side walls of the blocks, the exterior walls are predominately transparent, however. The tightly orchestrated rhythm of window openings and brick piers on the walls facing the square is interrupted at irregular intervals by large groups of windows, whereby the glass has been mounted in the flush with the stone. Behind this, special functions such as meeting rooms are housed. High window openings allow daylight ingress far into the building. Together with the daylight signalling, this results in considerable energy savings. The frames have a deep reveal and have been hidden behind the brickwork.


The choice of materials and details are aimed at sustainability. This means that the complex will retain its aesthetic allure into the future. The brick pattern chosen consists of unique rough and smooth, lightweight bricks in a rather larger modular size than standard. The bricks were treated with water during the production process, creating a range of surface textures. Depending on the light ingress the difference in texture between the smooth and rough bricks is revealed more or less. This changes the character of the exterior wall subtly with weather conditions and the seasons.


The high-rise buildings form a contrast to the brick walls. Facing the square, the exterior walls are largely transparent, through the use of storey-high glass sections, interspersed with sand-coloured natural stone sheets. Along the floors of the storeys, steel profiles give an austere finish, which at the same time gives relief to the exterior surface. The exterior wall areas on the side walls have a more closed nature, and are fully finished in light natural stone sheets. Alternating small window openings with large, transparent areas creates not only a lively streetscape, but also prompts variation in the layout of the interior.


The structural aspect of the complex is made up of load-bearing exterior walls and cores, whereby the floor spaces can be divided up with complete freedom. A two-level car park is located beneath the complex, offering space to 272 cars. Flexibility, practical layout, sustainable materials and passive and active energy saving measures make the complex sustainable and future-oriented.

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