Amersfoort-Flint (NL)

SITE / CONTEXT

The City of Amersfoort is re-imagining urban life at Flint, transforming this currently inward-facing building into an open, dynamic, and locally integrated space - a welcoming “central living room” for all. A space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together, fostering connections through a wide range of cultural, social, and recreational activities.
This transformation prioritizes multi-functionality, adaptability and a meaningful relationship with its urban environment materially and socially. By aligning the building’s functionality with contemporary needs, Flint seeks to position itself as a landmark that stimulates creativity and encourages collaboration. Think of a new and strong program for this location that can contribute to a vibrant city and be a meeting-place for a wide range of users and visitors.

QUESTIONS TO THE COMPETITORS

Redefining the Program
Re-imagine the program with a unique identity that attracts a diverse, multi-generational community while seamlessly connecting with the local community and appealing to a broader audience. The new program could feature start-ups, co-working spaces, workshops, science, education, culture and inspiration - a hotspot for a certain themes such as debate, food, AI, art, nature that fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration. The original design aimed to engage people through everyday activities, such as shopping, subtly introducing them to cultural experiences. Explore other innovative programs or profiles, broadening its appeal and functionality. Its goal is to establish an inclusive multi-functional space that serves as a dynamic cultural hub within the city.

Transparency and Openness
Leverage the building’s unique characteristics, such as its internal street, flexible grid, multi-purpose spaces, while embracing and enhancing the principles of its structuralist design to foster adaptability and sustainability. Develop a transparent and welcoming ground floor that exudes vitality, invites visitors. Employ design strategies to open up the building in creative and inviting ways, without losing original design principles. Foster connection with its immediate small-scale inner city context by incorporating features such as large openings, glass facades, and flexible layouts to strengthen the indoor-outdoor connection.

Connecting to Green Spaces and City
Flint currently presents an uninviting facade facing the monumental green belt around the city. The building should be reoriented to establish a dynamic relationship with the adjacent green city park (north). Flint lack of visibility from the city centre necessitate creating connections with the urban core in size, scale and appearance. Allow room for exceptional architecture and innovative solutions to give the building an iconic presence, harmonizing with its surroundings ensuring its role as a visible and accessible cultural landmark.

Rethinking building and its surroundings as unity
Re-imagine the building’s surroundings by transforming the rear parking area and adjacent square into vibrant, functional public spaces. Transform the square into a vibrant, multifunctional space for performances, markets, or festivals, fostering interaction and gathering for locals and visitors alike. Aim for a cohesive program in and outside the building that creates a lively atmosphere throughout the week, day and night.

Program and Space Allocation
Currently, the building includes 6,400 m2 dedicated to the theatre and cultural house, along with 550 m2 allocated for parking, offering opportunities for integration with adjacent structures. Formulate innovative design solutions to re purpose these structures into valuable spaces that enhance functionality, foster community-centric programming, or drive economic activation, without significantly increasing building volume. The parking facility can be partially re purposed to suit the program’s profile, as long as parking needs are sufficiently met.