Werkspoorfabriek
The Werkspoor District of Utrecht houses an immense industrial warehouse of 175 metres long. The factory hall is, together with several other buildings, part of the old Werkspoor. Large-scale steel constructions were processed here for civil engineering. Most of the buildings have meanwhile been demolished, but together with the Werkspoorkathedraal, the Werkspoorfabriek acts as a catalyst of the area and it is a symbol for the circular area development that is taking place here in the coming years.
Zecc Architecten transformed the monumental industrial warehouse of the Werkspoorfabriek into a sustainable and circular multi-lessee business building for the creative manufacturing industry. It now houses an active community of approximately forty businesses. From beer brewery De Leckere to 3D printing. To this end a new structure with flexible work units of wood and glass was installed in the free industrial space.
A modular building system (Respace) wooden building blocks that can easily be adjusted or repositioned. The system is 100% circular and is assembled without screw and/or glue connections. The whole forms a spacious world with small bridges, stairs and views. Future use is anticipated with the interventions in the façades and the added new structure of open floors.
Photos: Stijn Poelstra and Wouter van der Sar