In search of the power of existing buildings
19 September 2016
For diederendirrix architecture & urban development, it is all about generating quality when transforming existing buildings: for the building itself, for its users and for the environment.
Diederendirrix has offices in Eindhoven and Rotterdam, and is owned by Paul Diederen and Bert Dirrix. In addition, Diederen works two days a week as Professor of Transformational Design at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU), and he is a member of the Design & Monuments Advisory Committee of the Rotterdam planning authority. Dirrix has recently also started working as architect for Bureau Spoorbouwmeester, an independent advisory body for design projects within the Dutch rail sector. “Bert Dirrix and I have been working together for a long time”, Diederen says. “In addition to diederendirrix, we also run BureauEAU: engineering, advice and construction supervision for our own design agency and for external parties, such as property developers and building contractors. With this agency, we now take care of – among other things – the engineering and the construction supervision for the main building at the TU campus in Eindhoven.
We’ve also recently started an office in Rotterdam, which is more focused on design-based research and design competitions. We want to build, we want to be smart architects, not makers of icons. For us, a building has to suit its location, and suit its user.”
Roots in the city
Diederendirrix is known for its transformation projects. One of the most famous one is the ‘Witte Dame’, a landmark building in Eindhoven and home to The Design Academy. This former Philips factory was transformed into a centre for design and culture in 1998, making it one of the first transformation projects in the Netherlands. “Eindhoven has great transformation potential, because there are many old factories in the centre. Transforming existing buildings is particularly important, as the genius loci is always strongly present in this sort of buildings. The history of a place and what it means for the inhabitants adds an extra dimension. Even unaesthetic buildings have their roots in the city, their own place and significance. Besides, old buildings often have a beautiful construction and a special materiality. Whether it’s concrete or concrete gravel, which can also obtain its own quality.”
Read the full article in PI project & interieur