Location: s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Architect: Hans van Heeswijk Architects.

De Muzerije is a house for amateur art in ‘s Hertogenbosch that offers courses in visual art and theatre. The main venue, located in a four-century-old episcopal house, was restored and extended by Hans van Heeswijk Architects in 2010. The design includes a glazed-roof atrium that serves as a central place for encounters and events, as well as an oval-shaped volume faced in zinc that contains classrooms and a counter for drinks. The internal circulation has been improved by connecting all routes directly to the central atrium. The dance and ballet schools are housed in the former Bank van Leening, which was renovated in 2007 and 2008 to highlight the historical outer facades and basement. The new dance halls are positioned as individual houses, with the largest one also accommodating presentations and performances. The storage spaces in the basement have been transformed into changing rooms and sanitary spaces. The work was carried out in phases to ensure the continuation of the course programmes. Overall, the design of De Muzerije emphasizes the careful separation of new additions from existing structures and the accommodation of new functions in the most efficient and clearest way possible.

Photo credit: Luuk Kramer.