The retail park "De Centrale" takes its name from the power plant (PEB) that was located at this location. With the exception of one Nuon building, everything has been demolished and the location is gradually being transformed into shops. The current retail floor area is over 30.000 m2. This makes De Centrale the regional shopping center of Friesland. The planned expansion of 15.000 m² will further strengthen this regional position. The design has a recognizable shape and brings cohesion between the different buildings, a clear public space and a clear entrance. The advertising is an integral part of the design. In anticipation of this expansion, a new KFC branch has been designed and built on the site (2017).
| Architects | Ronald Knappers, Krijn Tabbers |
| Employees | Tijmen Versluis |
| Client(s) | Kennemerland beheer B.V. |
Woonboulevard Voorsterpoort in Zwolle is a well-running residential boulevard near the exit of the A28 motorway. Market research shows that there is room for expansion with more than 30,000 m² GFA for large-scale retail. Plots are available for expansion behind the existing boulevard. In our vision, the expansion will be realized around an oval square with parking at ground level. All shops are visible from anywhere on the square. Landmarks will be realized at the ends. The extension will be connected to the existing boulevard through a gate. The existing boulevard will be renovated, so that the shopping center will eventually again present itself as a cohesive complex. The plan can be realized in phases.
The “Meerwijk” district in Schalkwijk, built in the 1960s, has been built on the corner of Bernadottelaan and Albert Schweizerlaan. This center is part of the urban design that was made by our office in 2001. The building with retail spaces, including the Vomar supermarket, an underground parking garage with 215 places and 74 apartments, is one of the sub-plans of the community center. The whole has a modern, transparent and friendly character and adapts well to the neighborhood.
Next to the highway A2 near the centre of Utrecht a spectacular large scale shopping and leisure centre has been realised. The 800 meter long “Ferrari red” complex acts as a noise barrier to the new residential area of Leidsche Rijn. The fluent design of slowly undulating lines is inspired by the perspective of the driver passing the complex in 32 seconds, driving at a speed of 100 km/hour. The fluent lines create an illusion of movement. This building, having a surface area of approx. 65,000m2, houses many retail businesses, a high-quality DIY store, a catering business (fast-food restaurant) and leisure facilities (discotheque, sports or multi-purpose hall). On the roof is a 1400 spaces large car park. The building together with the ‘Cockpitgebouw’ at the Wetering Noord area, designed by the architect Kas Oosterhuis, are the showpiece of the city of Utrecht.
For the large-scale shopping and business center De Herven, dating from 1979, there was a threat of emptying out and impoverishment, including through screaming facade advertising. A redevelopment plan was implemented in 2003 to reverse this negative spiral. With important but relatively simple interventions, such as a uniform facade layout and advertising to be conducted according to fixed rules, as well as a generous continuous and cantilevered awning of 13 meters, a high-quality and pleasant residential area has again been created. The immediate surroundings, the walking area and the parking lot, have also been redesigned and constructed.
