Commissioned by BPD Area Development, Mei designed tower 5 of 'De Caai'; an area transformation of the former Campina site. Where the most modern milk factory in the Netherlands once stood, the most modern city district of Eindhoven will be resurrected within a few years. The area will become a 'living lab' where innovation and design in the field of nutrition and well-being will be stimulated, as was the case in the area's former function. Within the urban plan, Mei designs the highest residential tower with 158 homes, which will provide the area with an unmistakable identity, referring to the determining history of the place.
The Campina dairy factory had been located on the ultramodern factory site since 1961. After 55 years of activity, the site will be transformed from 2021 into a new district where living, working and recreation come together. The new users of De Caai live consciously; more sustainable and healthy living is implemented in all facets. There is a good balance between the dynamics of city life on the one hand, and a quiet, green outdoor area for relaxation on the other. Users can find each other in the conviction that everything can and should be made greener.
Tower 5 is the tallest tower in a mix of high and low-rise buildings, with a signal function from the ring road. It is also the only building that is physically detached from the heritage, but – in line with all new construction in the plan – will be fully integrated with the characteristic historic factory buildings. In this way the historical significance of the site is preserved. The design of tower 5 shows a direct reference to Campina in the use of colors and materials: the milky white stone material and the round shapes, referring to the rounded roofs of the factory. The repetition in the facade is a recognizable element. Tower 5 will be a characterful building with a high-quality appearance that will soon set the tone for De Caai.
Tower 5 will be green and consciously designed, in line with the values of the future residents and the overarching pillars of the plan. An expert has advised on the way in which 'good' material can be used, looking at, for example, detachability, sustainability, circularity, and production. In addition, the building will be nature-inclusive with various green zones, functioning as a visual connector, at ground level, plinth, and in the canopies. There will be specific planting for birds and insects, and porous material will also be used in the plinth for insects to nest. In this way, a contribution is made to strengthening biodiversity in the new city district.
