Shift Architecture Urbanism and Kraftwerk have transformed a station district into a lively center for contemporary city life in Breda, the Netherlands.
The name 5tracks are three impressive buildings that combine office space, residential units and a hotel, part of this project, a joint venture between Synchroon, JP van Eesteren and the architectural teams at Shift Architecture Urbanism and Powerhouse Company.
With the recent construction of 5tracks, Breda now has a lively mixed usage area next to the central station.
The buildings are located above a dynamic soil that offers a number of commercial and hospitality offers. This development increases Breda's international reputation and is the result of a large rehabilitation project in which attempts were made to revive a previously neglected region.
“The mixture of materials within a color area and the patchwork facade design offers 5 stripes a refined and nuanced presence,” said Thijs van Bijsterveldt, partner architect -shift architecture urbanism.
“5tracks consist of three strong, elegant and practical buildings in which the public functions were expressed in a lively and thoughtful way,” said Stefan Prins, partner architect Powerhouse Company.
“5Tracks is the result of intensive and inspiring cooperation. From the beginning we developed the concept and design together with care, and the result is clear in practice: the mix of functions and collective rooms works seamlessly and enables the district to bloom as a healthy, lively and future -proof part of the city,” said Roderick van Howooden, partner.
Architectural design and urban integration
Along the railroad, the three recognizable triangular buildings – platform_a, platform_b and platform_c – form a noticeable urban border.
In accordance with the specified size of the neighborhood, the design carefully takes into account its urban environment in order to create a uniform appearance that complements the nearby central station and the courtroom.
The buildings on the garden side have a step -rhythm that creates a beautiful background that divides the green core of 5tracks into a series of picturesque “garden rooms”.
Large central atrium are intended for both office workers and guests as common areas, and spacious stairs promote a connection between the gardens and the street.
Different but coherent aesthetics
A uniform pallet of earthy colors such as rich red wines, gentle creams and green gray stuff expresses the different personalities of every structure. Due to the tone-sur-tone aesthetics, which is maintained by the window frames and concrete base facades, the structures seem to be a coherent sculpture.
The carefully planned facades not only create a feeling of the architectural relationship between the buildings, but also combine a patchwork of masonry, window sizes and reveal depths, creating a layered visual experience.
Image © pim top
Activation of the community
By providing a diverse selection of residential, commercial and office space as well as a hotel, 5tracks improves the quality of life in the neighborhood by bringing the garden and the street side vitality. Platform_a has a conference center with a café that looks at the garden, as well as a friendly lobby with a bistro and terrace.
The platforms B and C were built around spacious atrium and have 168 residential units and around 15,700 square meters of office space. Atriums welcome “Urban Living Rooms”, which promote the interaction of the community, which is characterized by its large glass facade, skylight and uniform materials.
The municipal inner courtyard serves as a lively public area, which smoothly integrates 5 stripes into the larger cityscape.
Image © pim top
Interior architecture for the interaction
The interior design, which was created in collaboration with Dutch invertual, lies on adaptable routes between different zones and enables concentrated work, leisure discussions and comfortable lounge areas. Soft blue curtains with cloud motifs ensure a feeling of lightness, while carpet patterns indicate natural meadows.
A thoughtful use of color promotes the interaction between different aspects in the room and the selection of tactile materials improves sensory experiences.
Sustainability in the core
Since its introduction in 2015, the design of 5tracks has a strong focus on sustainability. The concepts of social spaces, ecologically friendly landscape design, which supports biological diversity, and spatial adaptability are with high density in this urban development. The open structure and well -placed cores of architecture make future expansion easier.
Image © pim top
The landscape and material decisions also reflect the commitment to sustainable techniques. By using recycled brick slides from top materials, the facades drastically lower on construction waste.
Each brick slip contributes to the various masonry patterns and the visually structured appearance. In addition, 400,000 liters of rainwater are collected by a retention roof above the low point, including efficient water management techniques that reduce the stress of the Breda infrastructure in times of intensive precipitation.
The sustainability plan of 5tracks is based on advanced energy systems. A geothermal energy storage system regulates both the temperature of the hotel, the jobs and the apartments, both under the underground warmth and outside air.
Solar collectors on the roofs produce renewable energies, strengthen the green infrastructure of the project and improve sustainability common facilities.
Paris evidence and good platinum
The offices in 5tracks are a lively example of human well -being and environmental responsibility. By significantly reducing energy consumption and complying with the CO2 budget, you are a paris evidence and correspond to the Paris climate agreement.
It is even more important that they offer areas that actively improve the comfort and well -being of users, residents and guests. The Bohrloch Platin Certification, which was achieved by precise attention in air, water, light, food, vitality, comfort and reason, reflects this.
Image © pim top
With the combination of well platinum-like design excellence with Pariser Proof performance, 5tracks determines a new benchmark for districts of the city center that are future-proof.
Image © pim top
Image © pim top
Image © pim top
Location plan
Location plan, first floor
Plan on the first floor
Plan on the second floor
Plan for third floor
4.-9
Axonometric drawing – platform A
Axonometric drawing – platform B
Axonometric drawing – platform B
Powerhouse Company previously completed the first mass wood structure in Rotterdam. In addition, the studio completed the conversion of a post -war church into a music center in Rotterdam. Powerhouse Company together with Studio Donna van Milligen Bielke & Ard de Vries ArchitectsPresent Team against architecturePresent Joppe KustersAnd Delva Landscape Architecture | Urbanism won a competition Design an urban ensemble in Amsterdam.
Project facts
Project name: 5 tracks
Architects: Shift architecture urbanism and power plant company
Location: Breda, Netherlands
Timetable: 2021 – 2025
Size: 51,000 m2 GFA
Customer: Development partnership Synchroon and JP van Eesteren
Concept and development management: Vigo
Landscape architect: Custom
Furniture and styling: Dutch Invertual
Contractor: JP van Eesteren
Structural engineer: IMD advisory engineers
Installations: Technology
Building physics and fire brigade advice: LBP sight
Technical drawings: Vdndp
Brand identity: Edhv.
The top picture in the article © PIM TOP.
All pictures © Sebastian van Damme, unless otherwise stated.
All drawings are with the kind permission of the Powerhouse Company and the shift architecture of urbanism.
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