News

Reynaers Projectprijs Goed Doel

The UNUN Foundation receives a cheque

12 March 2024

In 2023, diederendirrix won the audience award of the Reynaers Project Prize with the pop venue Nieuwe Nor in Heerlen. Winning an award is always nice, but the great thing about this prize is that we can designate a charity to receive the same amount of money. With conviction, we have chosen the UNUN foundation.

UNUN stands for ‘Ukraine – the Netherlands Urban Network.’ This community brings together Ukrainians, architectural and spatial planning organizations, and other spatial professionals in the Netherlands to share knowledge and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine. They achieve this by organizing regular meetings, workshops, and lectures, where the expertise of Dutch construction professionals is shared with Ukrainian colleagues.

On Friday, March 1, 2024, Oleksandra Tkachenko of UNUN received the 2,500 euro check from Hans van der Looij, Sales & Marketing Manager at Reynaers Aluminium, and Theo Hauben, partner at diederendirrix architecture and urban planning. We hope that this contribution will help UNUN a little further with all the good work they are doing.

Historische foto Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen

Team diederendirrix wins selection for renovation of Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen

4 March 2024

The team from diederendirrix will be the architect for the renovation of Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen. The building by architects Bijvoet & Holt will be sustainably upgraded inside and out, and made more accessible. The venue will also be made more welcoming for artists and the audience. The Rijksmonument, built between 1955-1961 at Keizer Karelplein during the post-war reconstruction period, has not undergone major renovations in the past 60 years.

During the renovation, systems (such as mechanical, electrical, and theater technical installations) that have reached the end of their lifespan will be replaced. Structural adjustments will also be made, including improvements to better connect with the city. The building and its surroundings will be made more sustainable and hospitable for artists and the public, as well as safer and more accessible for people with disabilities. The foyers will be adapted so that visitors and passersby can work, study, or meet during the day. The café will be transformed into a creative space for theater makers to rehearse.

Eva Middelhoff, director of Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen and Concertgebouw De Vereeniging, emphasizes: ‘After the reopening, the renewed Stadsschouwburg will be the Theatre of the Future that opens up to the city more than ever. It will be a place that is accessible to everyone. During the works, performances will be held in other locations.’

‘We have full confidence in the architectural firm Diederendirrix and its collaborating partners Buro Lubbers (landscape architecture), BERNS Architecture (restoration specialist), Architectencollectief deMunnik-deJong-Steinhauser (interior architecture), PBTA (Theatre consultancy), and MK4D (lighting design). The Stadsschouwburg will become even more inclusive. The qualities of the original brutalist design of the Stadsschouwburg, in the spirit of Bijvoet, will be restored and strengthened. Attention is given to current themes such as sustainability, public space, and biodiversity,’ says Noël Vergunst, alderman for urban development and culture.

The team at Diederendirrix architecture & urban planning has extensive experience in the new construction and renovation of public buildings. The firm is known for projects such as the pop venue Nieuwe Nor in Heerlen and the theater De Kattendans in Bergeijk. In Nijmegen, the firm is recognized for the Church-Monastery with residential care apartments in the former Kloostertuin Brakkenstein and the new Archaeological Depot on Nieuwe Dukenburgseweg. The architect, together with Croes Bouwtechnisch Ingenieursbureau (structural engineer), Huisman & Van Muijen installation consultants, and DGMR as advisor for Building Physics and Fire Safety, forms the core of the design team.

Maia Maastricht

Renovation and sustainability of Maastricht Institute of Arts

15 February 2024

The diederendirrix team has been selected for the renovation and sustainability project of the Maastricht Institute of Arts (MAIA) located at Herdenkingsplein in Maastricht. Over the next few years, the educational complex will undergo significant changes to accommodate eleven art courses.

In addition to diederendirrix, the design team includes Van Eijk & Van der Lubbe for interior design and bureau Verbeek for the design of outdoor spaces. In competition with the firms LIAG and Atelier Pro, the approach of the diederendirrix team was the most highly regarded.

The MAIA accommodation consists of a collection of unique buildings. The oldest building is the former residence of Victor de Stuers. This 18th-century building not only holds value as a national monument, but De Stuers also played a crucial role in the establishment of the art academy as we know it today in the Netherlands and was a fervent advocate for monument preservation. In the 1970s, city architect Frans Dingemans designed a subtly robust structure for the art academy. The most recent addition, from the 1990s, is by architect Wiel Arets, featuring an iconic section with volumes in concrete and glass bricks.

These buildings no longer align with the educational needs of the present time. The approach of the diederendirrix team focuses on making the existing buildings more sustainable and using them more efficiently. Each building possesses distinct qualities that we cherish, resulting in a unique unity in diversity.

In the coming months, we will collaborate with Zuyd Hogeschool, MJb groep/Aronsohn Management, and Nelissen Ingenieursbureau with enthusiasm to work on this exciting task.

Diederendirrix designs the new Baroeg pop venue

19 June 2023

Diederendirrix has won the architect selection for the new construction of pop venue Baroeg in Rotterdam. For 40 years, the music venue has played an idiosyncratic role in the city’s cultural sector. The programming mainly focuses on hard alternative music, with styles such as rock, metal, hardcore, punk, psychobilly, electro and industrial. In 2021, Baroeg has been elected Echt Rotterdams Erfgoed.

The enthusiasm with which underground styles have been brought together for decades and the special location in Rotterdam South make Baroeg incomparable to any other stage. Baroeg cherishes its social involvement, honesty and directness. All activities are focused on people, music and a lifelong bond with the subculture. According to connoisseurs and enthusiasts: “The best black metal place in Europe”.

According to the jury, diederendirrix hit the nail on the head with their design vision for the new building: “A place for cultural ceremonies: intense, lived through, rough, but also loving!” Both inside and out, the design is a primary experience that sharpens the senses and at the same time creates space for a collective experience. The interaction between the audience and between the audience and the band is what it’s all about in the new building.

The inner spaces around the hall were created by the qualities and forces of the environment. The beautiful building shape expressly interacts with the Spinoza Park. The pronounced ‘urban sculpture’ is also a habitat for flora and fauna.

Nieuwe Nor in jaarboek 2022-2023 Nai

Nieuwe Nor in Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands 2022/2023

30 May 2023

On May 23th, the 36th Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands 2022/2023 by NAi010 publishers was launched in Pakhuis De Zwijger in Amsterdam. During the launch, the editorial staff, consisting of Teun van den EndeUri Gilad and Arna Mackic, looked back at the most groundbreaking projects and developments of 2022. Together with various guests, they discussed the themes of the past architectural year, such as the challenges of densification, (public) commissioning and the opportunities for young architects (firms) to develop and thus renew the field.

Our project De Nieuwe Nor in Heerlen is one of the twenty-nine projects selected in the Yearbook. The editors appreciate the spatial integration of the building in the city, the clear routes in the building and the interaction of the music venue with the public domain.

“De Nieuwe Nor is an accessible platform for all kinds of subcultures. Musical innovation and experimentation can take place, in collaboration with people from the city and region. This has created a place that Heerlen residents can be proud of.”

Go experience it for yourself and visit the Nieuwe Nor in Heerlen! See the agenda of the popodia.

The book Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook 2022/2023 is now for sale.

Queen Máxima opens the new Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen of diederendirrix architecture and urban planning

22 May 2023

On Tuesday 16 May, Queen Máxima opened the new Van Gogh Village Museum. This happened in the presence of several hundred guests. Director Simone van der Heiden proudly showed the Queen the new museum in the center of Nuenen.

Van Gogh Village Museum highlights the painter’s personal and artistic development that led to his first masterpiece The Potato Eaters. Queen Máxima also visited Vincent’s Light Lab, which focuses on the effect of color and light. At the end of her visit, the Queen, together with the director and 200 volunteers, posed in front of the new museum (photo: Bart Verkuijlen)

Diederendirrix has been working on the renovation of the museum since 2019. We realized the building in close cooperation with Banbouw. The design is a contemporary longitudinal farmhouse as a reference to a farm that stood at this spot in the 19th century. Design agency Van Eijk & van der Lubbe designed the central reception area, including the coffee corner and shop. Tinker Imagineers designed the exhibitions and Bruns produced the exhibition materials.

The renovation and expansion of the museum has been realized thanks to grants from, among others, the province of North Brabant and contributions from funds and certificate holders.

Archeologisch Depot Nijmegen impressie tekening

We won the selection of the extension of The Archaeological Depot Nijmegen

21 March 2023

The Archeologisch Depot Nijmegen and the Archeologisch Depot Gelderland will be merged. The existing building on the Nieuwe Dukenburgseweg no longer meets the needs and wishes of today and is therefore being expanded with a new entrance building and depot. This creates the largest archaeological treasure house in the Netherlands: het Archeologisch Depot Nijmegen en provincie Gelderland.

The three-storey new building consists of a compact, efficient depot building against an entrance, office and reception building. The depot provides high-quality storage and management of the collection according to the building physics concept of the Pausebox®. The counterpart of the closed depot building is the more transparent three-layer office volume in which all processing of the material to be deposited can take place in a professional, pleasant working climate.

We are endlessly fascinated by the archive photos of archaeological excavations, in which the special graphic power and color palette of excavated layers is intersected by straight cuts and sections, provided with markings and measurements in the archaeological field research. We make the facade as if it were a ground section; a gradation of different colors of masonry in varying connections and varied jointing. In these facades we make small showcases in a free composition, scattered over the facade. The display cases show the unearthed treasures as small glimpses into the depot to visitors and passers-by.

The new depot is part of the major urban area transformation of Winkelsteeg into a lively residential area, in which greening and biodiversity of the existing context are also of great importance in creating a climate-proof urban living environment.

After an intensive tender process, the municipality of Nijmegen and the province of Gelderland selected the plan of Giesbers, diederendirrix, Croes, Peutz and Bink as the winner. The DO and the environmental permit application are currently being worked out. Construction is planned to start around the summer of 2023.

Logo Cirkelstad

Partnership Cirkelstad

17 January 2023

As a design and engineering firm, we have the ambition to achieve a circular and inclusive construction practice. That is why diederendirrix and bureauEAU have joined Cirkelstad Eindhoven as of 2023.

Cirkelstad is a platform for any organization that wants to be informed about circular construction. The goal is to accelerate the transition to cities without waste. To achieve this, Cirkelstad is building an ecosystem of public and private parties to develop, unlock and share knowledge.

We see design (diederendirrix) and structural engineering (bureauEAU) as a two-unit. In new construction and redevelopment projects, we offer an integrated approach that leads to feasible sustainable solutions at an early stage. Our designs are timeless and open to dynamic use in the future. We create a responsible built environment through well-considered use of materials and energy-efficient construction methods.

The office in Eindhoven is our main location. The city will face a huge densification task in the coming years. We believe that we can help the city of Eindhoven to make the right choices for the future together with Cirkelstad. Participating in Cirkelstad is a logical next step in the development process for us.

We look forward to several inspiring meetings planned for this year with producers, consultants, developers, clients, builders, and designers: together we will close the circle!

Rob Meurders, fotograaf Marcel Krijger

Rob Meurders appointed chairman of the Spatial Quality Committee in Eindhoven

2 June 2022

The Eindhoven city council has appointed partner and creative director Rob Meurders as chairman of the Spatial Quality Committee (CRK) as of 1 June. In this way, together with a multidisciplinary team, he will contribute to stimulating and safeguarding the spatial ambitions of the city and the Brainport region.

The CRK advises the municipality on the integral quality of the residential and living environment. She advises on urban planning, public space, cultural history and monuments and the design of buildings.

Rob has been working at diederendirrix since 1999 and has been a partner since 2018. He has extensive experience in advisory committees, including for the municipality of Nijmegen, where he is currently also chairman of the RKT Spoorzone.

Jaarboek Karregat

Renewal of ‘t Karregat in Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands 2021/2022

31 May 2022

Last week the Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands 2021/2022 by NAi010 publishers was presented in Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam. The editors of the Yearbook #35 consist of Teun van den Ende (founder Werkplaats Erfgoed, independent researcher, writes for, among others, Vers Beton and is a consultant in spatial policy), Uri Gilad (co-founder and partner Office Winhov) and Arna Mačkić (co-founder of studio L A and winner of the Young Maaskant Prize 2017). The twenty-six projects in the yearbook have been selected from the more than 180 entries because, according to the editors, they can stimulate the conversation about architecture.

“The question often arose as to whether an architect can still make a difference, since his power is limited. Today’s unruly practice requires exceptional craftsmanship, expertise, or simply persistence and persuasiveness. Which of these properties are used by architects and what are the benefits? And how can clients, policy makers, developers, contractors and residents help make a difference together? If any conclusion emerged from the discussions, it is that architects desperately need these ‘enablers’, hence: Time to talk.”

The renovation of ‘t Karregat in Eindhoven fits in well with the Time to talk theme. The redesign for the existing building was made in collaboration with architecten|en|en. The building has been renovated with respect for the original design by architect Van Klingeren and the original color scheme by artist Van Soest. In close consultation with the owners (municipality, supermarket) and users (primary school, childcare, library and supermarket operator), the building has been given a different layout. Together with the technical advisors and the contractor, the building construction from 1973 has been carefully adapted to the current building physics requirements. With the renovation, ‘t Karregat is once again fulfilling its old promise as the radiant center of the district in the present.

Architecture in the Netherlands Yearbook 2021/2022 is now for sale.

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