mecanoo's 'villa industria' masterplan includes residential towers that resemble gasometers

mecanoo has completed a masterplan for 357 homes in the dutch city of hilversum, which also accommodates small businesses and sports facilities. titled ‘villa industria’, the project’s name, as well its appearance, references the industrial gasworks that previously occupied the site. the urban plan prioritizes public space for pedestrians and cyclists, with below-grade parking freeing up space at ground level.

all images courtesy of mecanoo

serving as the project’s focal point, mecanoo has designed three cylindrical residential buildings that resemble the old gasometers which once stood on the site. homes with semi-circular roofs are situated on the site of a former warehouse with a similar shape, while the buildings at the perimeter of villa industria are the same height as the surrounding residential area. the courtyards consist of private gardens with an intimate character.

the residential development is located in the dutch city of hilversum

meanwhile, the existing swimming pool building has been re-clad in brick, steel, and glass, matching the aesthetics of the site. robust steel columns support a new sports hall and fitness center, which has been built on top of the swimming pool. 

the site’s combination of red-brown brick with steel and glass lends the development a recognizable identity.

 the application of the same bricks for each building creates coherence, while variations in the brick sizes and masonry techniques, ornaments, and special objects provide diversity.

the design references the industrial gasworks that previously occupied the site

the urban plan prioritizes public space for pedestrians and cyclists

an artwork has been designed for the project

the combination of red-brown brick with steel and glass gives the development a recognizable identity

the development contains a total of 357 homes

the façade of the more traditionally-shaped residences

car parking is found below grade

the buildings at the perimeter of the site are the same height as the surrounding residential area

scale model

site plan (click to enlarge)

project info:

size: 74,000 sqm

design: 2004 – 2015 (phased delivery)

realization: 2007 – 2018 (phased delivery)

client: heijmans, amersfoort; de alliantie, hilversum, the netherlands.

structural engineer: ABT b.v., delft; goudstikker de vries, almere, the netherlands
mechanical and electrical engineer: viac installatieadviseurs, houten, the netherlands
building physics consultant: nex2us, bergen op zoom, the netherlands

artist: berend strik, amsterdam, the netherlands
program: masterplan for 357 dwellings, 400 sqm small-scale businesses, and 4,000 sqm sports facilities, a total of 74,000 sqm

awards: 1st prize competition