Location: Hoofddorp, Netherlands.

Architect: Serge Schoemaker Architects.

Hoofddorp Fort, a Dutch world heritage site, has been transformed into an urban park with a restaurant and cultural and educational activities. The fort, built in 1904, is one of the few forts along the historical Defence Line of Amsterdam with two floors. Serge Schoemaker Architects tackled the landscape, architecture, and interior in an integral manner, fusing past and present into a new entity. The fort has been partly restored and partly left untouched, with sleek new additions integrated carefully while preserving the historical details and distinctive atmosphere. Warm timber walls and minimalist steel elements combine with rough untreated walls of unreinforced concrete, and modern light fittings are set off by atmospheric illuminated candle niches. The material and colour concept connects the historical and contemporary elements, letting them co-exist in a dignified manner. Engineering installations have been integrated so carefully that they are almost invisible. The whole building is fitted with a thin underfloor heating system and the air-treatment system with heat recovery makes use of historical built-in air ducts. A ‘fort pathway’ added to the site means that visitors can walk up directly from the forecourt to the outdoor area on higher ground as well. From here they enjoy views of the moat and the Geniedijk. Space has also been allocated here for a small open-air theatre and a stylish terrace garden. The process of redeveloping and converting Hoofddorp Fort took a decade, and the result is a lively dialogue between past and present, with both entities enhancing each other.

Photo credit: MWA Hart Nibbrig.