heavy gear workshop renovation exposes steel curtain in utrecht

railway workshop in Utrecht revived featuring new steel body

Designed by Studioninedots, ‘Bovenbouwwerkplaats’ shapes the large-scale reconstruction project of the former Dutch Railways manufactory building in Utrecht. Built in 1905, the workshop that constructed heavy gear for the railways lost its architectural integrity over the past years. The renovation program followed a contemporary design plan while maintaining and repairing several original features. All main industrial qualities of the old warehouse were preserved and restored, such as its skeleton, roofs, and external facade. An addition of a firm architectural gesture attaches a steel ‘curtain’ body to the structure generating a new silhouette to the space. The open layout that is enclosed in the existing structure hosts cultural facilities and creative workspaces.

all images by Sebastian van Damme

flexible urban plan hands over sufficient green public space

‘Bovenbouwwerkplaats’ is a part of Wisselspoor’s development plan by Studioninedots, in collaboration with DELVA. Committing to the ‘Cityplot concept’, a flexible urban planning strategy, the project proposes an organic interaction with residents through a small-scale, mixed-use set of programs in the city. The model of the neighborhood is a 100-by-100-meter plot, organizing small and medium-sized buildings at the edges of the site. The blocks form an outdoor system low in traffic with sufficient green public space. Following this format, the building accommodates work units, social hubs, and other shared facilities. The new second layer of the construction clusters a five-story mobility hub for 175 shared cars and bicycles, leaving the neighborhood open to pedestrians.

the large-scale reconstruction of the former dutch railways workshop is part of a flexible urban planning strategy

curved expanded metal infrastructure fitted in the old factory

The new orthogonal volume in shiny steel skin rises from the core of the frame as a back wall to the workshops. The steel ‘curtain’ forms a curved expanded metal shell arranged in an abstract rhythm of various dimensions between each fold, hence the name of the structure. The new massive element disrupts the perception of scale on site making the old factory appear much smaller. The renewed construction maintained various remnant fragments in the interior of the building, such as existing installations, pipes, and even damaged plaster exposing the brickwork. Glass frames were applied to the original vertical window openings connecting the plot to its surroundings. The transparent roof allows the entire plan to revel in natural light throughout the day. Reflecting ample light, the metallic infrastructure stands as a modern landmark of Wisselspoor.

the steel ‘curtain’ infrastructure stands as a modern landmark of wisselspoor

wisselspoor neighborhood forms an outdoor system low in traffic with sufficient green public space

the factory’s surrounding area follows the ‘cityplot’ urban plan leaving the neighborhood open to pedestrians

the old warehouse preserved and restored its industrial features, such as the skeleton, roofs, and external facade

the ‘curtain’, a curled expanded metal shell, peeks through the curved glass

the reconstruction maintained various remnant fragments, such as the damaged plaster exposing the brickwork

the ‘curtain’ sets a second skin of the building and a back wall to the workshops

the transparent roof allows the entire plan to revel in natural light

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ground floor plan drawing

ground floor plan drawing + function diagram

roof plan drawing

project info:

name: Bovenbouwwerkplaats
designer: Studioninedots | @studioninedots

location: Utrecht, Netherlands

photography: Sebastian van Damme | @svd_fotografie

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom