A new purpose for Hembrug

Abstract

This graduation project has been executed in the studio of Heritage & Architecture at the TU Delft. The context of the project is that of the Hembrug terrain, a former military production site in between the cities of Amsterdam and Zaandam. The overhauling title of the graduation project is ‘Revitalizing Heritage’, aiming at giving the Hembrug area a second lease of life.For this project, the vast terrain was split up in numerous ensembles, the choice for this project ended up being Campus South. This was grounded by the sensation given during the first site visit, Campus South was dynamic and open. Also, the play of light and shadow caressing the weathered interior walls gave the area a great industrial sensation full of potential. This part of the Hembrug terrain is located in the most southwestern corner, close to the North Sea Canal. The ensemble counts a total of 6 buildings, among which 4 of them are monuments. The project will aim at revitalizing the area, which implies (among other things) that it will be suited to host a new program and that it will strive for sustainable usage in the future. The buildings that are covered in this project are the so-called ‘Harderij’ and ‘Ketelcentrale’. The revitalization of these structures needs to be done while also maintaining the existing characteristics and atmosphere. Within the field of heritage, some factors are of great importance. Three important ones are Cultural Value, Design, and Technology. As a student, you have to be able to find a balance between these notions. Nowadays some buildings on the ensemble are vacant, while others are hosting entrepreneurs. The fact that the buildings are already there, and that they have their own unique atmosphere, is something wonderous about heritage. The Hembrug terrain has been bought by an investor, who is planning to revitalize this former secluded area and to open it to the public. The plans to do the latter have already commenced with the project of OMA (among others), who are redesigning the bullet factory into a museum and hotel. Mainly focused on the terrain's visitors it seems, but the investor also intends to give way to a thousand dwellings to be built. With the OMA project in the east and Campus South on the western side of the terrain, the latter should focus on facilitating this new ‘Hembrugian community’. Creating communal facilities for the future inhabitants of Hembrug. The campuses are a natural gathering space for people and will function as such in the future, where the former distributing factory buildings in Campus South will get a second life by hosting communal facilities for the people of Hembrug:- A modern concept of a library with working spaces and offices in the Ketelcentrale;- A food market and a bar in the Harderij.Campus South will be a space where people can come together, work, study or recreate. A place that works as a center of the new Hembrugian community.