A sequel to Vroom & Dreesmann

Abstract

This project explores the impact of Vroom & Dreesmann (V&D) on the city and city life of Leiden over time. The strategy to re-vitalize this building is two-folded. On the one hand, the collective memory of and associations with V&D are used in order to revitalize the building. For over hundred years, V&D has been an important asset to public city life, as it's nickname 'the livingroom of the Netherlands' already suggests. But since the bankruptcy of V&D in 2016, the obsolete department store has left 'a gap' in the perceived atmosphere of the inner city. To continue the building's relevance for city life, the intangible and commemorative values of V&D have been assessed and translated into design starting points.
On the other hand, the redesign highlights the changes of this complex over time. Historical research indicated that V&D has levelled the differences between different historical structures, by standardizing the interior and turning it into a 'flatscape'. This has reduced visitor's sense of place over time. By reinstalling the complex's diversity, the final redesign allows visitors to experience the full story of the site, in which both V&D and other historical characters play a part.
From a historical point of view, this site has been a place for social gathering. The new function of the building as 'cultural warehouse' creates a scenery where interaction is key. The juxtaposition of contemporary elements with original features creates a dialogue between different eras and allows the complex to establish a new purpose.