Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Brabanthallen

This is a project by Cepezed Architects and it is located at 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. There are seven images for Brabanthallen.

: © Cepezed Architects

Project images

Designer's statement

Complete restructuring, restoration, and extension of what was once the largest livestock market hall in Europe. Now, parts of the Brabanthallen have been put on the list of protected buildings, and the halls orient themselves fully to the market for trade fairs, congresses, and events.

Initially, the assignment only covered the renovation of several halls, but it was extended with the request to formulate a developmental vision that would elevate the complex from a regional trade fair centre to a national A-location.

Eventually, 8,500 m2 of the existing hall area were demolished to make way for new construction that covered an area of more than 15,000 m2 and was built in a record time of only six months with the use of prefab elements. An important challenge lay in harmonizing the large scale of the new construction with that of the original halls. For this reason, the new halls are sober and austere, and have been realized with few special details. They form a neutral but chic backdrop for the richly detailed original halls which also form a gradual scale transition to the surrounding residential area.

The simple design of the new construction guarantees maximum functionality, leaving the decor entirely to the users. All control engineering has been embedded out of sight as much as possible. Because each event has its own technological requirements, there are floor pots every six metres with cabling via underfloor installation tunnels.

Of the original hall, around 8,000 m2 have been comprehensively renovated, mainly involving the adaptation of façades, corridors and floors. The routing and connection between the halls were substantially improved. The transition between the existing construction and the new construction was implemented in glass, so that the façades of the original halls have remained fully visible.

Location: Diezekade 2, 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Client: Maatschappij Tot Exploitatie van Industriegebouwen
Gfa: 28,900 m2 total, 16,525 m2 new construction, 3,443 m2 conversion, 8,932 m2 renovation
Realization: 2005
Photography: Fas Keuzenkamp & Jannes Linders