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Modern and hospitable city hall with a focus on sustainability
The task
The municipality of Harderwijk commissioned the City Hall to be renovated and transformed into a modern and hospitable “House of the City.” The challenge was to create a meeting place that serves as a center for residents, entrepreneurs, institutions, associations and employees. This was supposed to be a place where people come together, share knowledge and make use of social functions such as a work café, library, and council chamber. At the same time, the building had to be made more sustainable, with an ambitious improvement from energy label E to A+.
“A flexible plaza where hospitality and functionality come together.”
About this project
An accessible and vibrant plaza
The ground floor has been transformed into an inviting plaza, the central meeting point of the town hall. This is where various functions come together, including the Stadswinkel counters, a work café, the library, the Social Domain and other social partners. The plaza is flexible and can be used for exhibitions and meetings, for example for exhibitions at the City Museum. The new interior reinforces the hospitality and service orientation of the municipality of Harderwijk.
Innovative workplaces
The first and second floors are designed as work environments, connected by a loft with a view of the plaza. Employees work in zones, or “spots,” that are tailored to their needs. Quiet workplaces are located at the ends of the building, while spaces for collaboration and communication are located near the main staircases, the conference center, and the elevators. Central to these zones are “living rooms” where employees come together to start or discuss the day.
The floors are logically arranged:
- First floor: Directors, domains of Society, Governance & Organization, Space, Urban Business, Meerinzicht and part of the library.
- Second floor: Workplaces for the Social Domain.
“Harderwijk's rich history incorporated into a modern work environment.”
Highlights
Accessible plaza
The public hall on the ground floor acts as a multifunctional meeting place for residents and social partners.
Innovative work environment
The floors offer zones for collaboration, communication and quiet work, with central “living rooms” for meetings.
Sustainability
Energy label E to A+ thanks to insulation, triple glazing, LED lighting and solar panels; furniture has been reused.
Local identity
Interior details such as felt room dividers and glass foils emphasize the historical and cultural connection with Harderwijk.
Involved process
Workshops, models and visualizations helped the organization and stakeholders with the transition and design process.
Credits
Modern and hospitable city hall with a focus on sustainability
The task
The municipality of Harderwijk commissioned the City Hall to be renovated and transformed into a modern and hospitable “House of the City.” The challenge was to create a meeting place that serves as a center for residents, entrepreneurs, institutions, associations and employees. This was supposed to be a place where people come together, share knowledge and make use of social functions such as a work café, library, and council chamber. At the same time, the building had to be made more sustainable, with an ambitious improvement from energy label E to A+.
About this projct
An accessible and vibrant plaza
The ground floor has been transformed into an inviting plaza, the central meeting point of the town hall. This is where various functions come together, including the Stadswinkel counters, a work café, the library, the Social Domain and other social partners. The plaza is flexible and can be used for exhibitions and meetings, for example for exhibitions at the City Museum. The new interior reinforces the hospitality and service orientation of the municipality of Harderwijk.
Innovative workplaces
The first and second floors are designed as work environments, connected by a loft with a view of the plaza. Employees work in zones, or “spots,” that are tailored to their needs. Quiet workplaces are located at the ends of the building, while spaces for collaboration and communication are located near the main staircases, the conference center, and the elevators. Central to these zones are “living rooms” where employees come together to start or discuss the day.
The floors are logically arranged:
- First floor: Directors, domains of Society, Governance & Organization, Space, Urban Business, Meerinzicht and part of the library.
- Second floor: Workplaces for the Social Domain.
“A flexible plaza where hospitality and functionality come together.”
Sustainable renovation
The building's energy label has been improved from E to A+ by means of new insulation, triple glazing, LED lighting and 1,000 m² of solar panels. Floor-length windows provide a connection to the new Waterfront district, and the renewed entrance increases accessibility. The existing furniture has been reused and revitalized, contributing to the sustainable ambition of the renovation.
Identity and history
To make Harderwijk's rich history visible in the interior, ZENBER designed felt room dividers inspired by fishing buttons and graphic designs on glass foils based on prominent national monuments in the city. This reflects the Hanseatic traditions and connects the work environment with the local culture.
“Harderwijk's rich history incorporated into a modern work environment.”
Highlights
Accessible plaza
The public hall on the ground floor acts as a multifunctional meeting place for residents and social partners.
Innovative work environment
The floors offer zones for collaboration, communication and quiet work, with central “living rooms” for meetings.
Sustainability
Energy label E to A+ thanks to insulation, triple glazing, LED lighting and solar panels; furniture has been reused.
Local identity
Interior details such as felt room dividers and glass foils emphasize the historical and cultural connection with Harderwijk.
Involved process
Workshops, models and visualizations helped the organization and stakeholders with the transition and design process.
Credits