Hoofddorp Fort Island

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

HOOFDDORP FORT ISLAND

Serge Schoemaker Architects

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
De Bonth van Hulten

PHOTOGRAPHS
MWA Hart Nibbrig

MANUFACTURERS
Dornbracht, Jansen, Clou, Formani, Forster, Kemmlit, Deltalight

DESIGN TEAM
Sanne Knoll, Alexander Beeloo, Max Hart Nibbrig, Arun Bourdon, Anthony Dann, Yunqiao DuDik Houben, Roxana Vakil Mozafari

MEP & HVAC CONSULTANT
Install Keur

STRUCTURE ENGINEER
Vianen Bouwadvies

ACOUSTIC CONSULTANT
Vermeent Advies

PROJECT MANAGER
PlanResult

BUILDING PHYSICS CONSULTANTS
LBP|Sight

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Instacom Electrotech

 AREA
2120 m²

AIRCONDITIONING CONTRACTOR
StoneCold Airconditioning Services

FLOOR HEATING CONTRACTOR
WARP Systems

PLUMBING CONTRACTOR
Derks-Diepenbroek

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Restaurant, Mixed Use Architecture, Shopping Centers

Text description provided by architect.

The process of redeveloping and converting Hoofddorp Fort took a decade.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

Some 8,100 m2 in size, the Dutch world heritage site has been transformed into an urban park with space for a restaurant as well as cultural and educational activities.

Serge Schoemaker Architects tackled the landscape, architecture and interior in an integral manner, fusing past and present into a new entity.

Hoofddorp Fort (1904) is one of the few forts along the historical Defence Line of Amsterdam with two floors.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

Like most of the forts, this defense structure is embedded into the landscape and covered with a layer of earth. The fort consists of a rich labyrinth of spaces: gun positions, rooms, corridors, and niches.

Walls and vaults of metres-thick unreinforced concrete had to protect the fort from enemy fire. The complex includes two freestanding gun turret buildings topped by domes that could be raised.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

Connected to the main building by underground corridors, these structures were fully excavated during the renovation.

The network of corridors has also been restored to its original condition. This allows visitors to use the long rear corridor on the ground floor to reach the freestanding gun turret buildings as well as the terrain on top of the fort.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

Two new staircases have been added to improve access to the fort. Breaking open the floors created two vertical double-height spaces that draw light and air deep into the horizontal corridors that dominate the fort interior.

The fort has been partly restored and partly left untouched. Serge Schoemaker designed sleek new additions and integrated them carefully, consciously preserving the historical details and distinctive atmosphere.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

His approach sets up a lively dialogue between past and present, with both entities enhancing each other.

For example, warm timber walls and minimalist steel elements combine with rough untreated walls of unreinforced concrete, and modern light fittings are set off by atmospheric illuminated candle niches.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

The material and colour concept connects the historical and contemporary elements, letting them co-exist in a dignified manner.

Engineering installations have been integrated so carefully that they are almost invisible.

The whole building is fitted with a thin underfloor heating system and the air-treatment system with heat recovery makes use of historical built-in air ducts.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig
Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig

New pipes are integrated into the screed floor and the roof structure to preserve the pure, brutalist character of the interior.

A ‘fort pathway’ added to the site means that visitors can walk up directly from the forecourt to the outdoor area on higher ground as well.

From here they enjoy views of the moat and the Geniedijk. Space has also been allocated here for a small open-air theatre and a stylish terrace garden.

Hoofddorp Fort Island
© MWA Hart Nibbrig


Hoofddorp Fort Island
Elevations and sections


Hoofddorp Fort Island
Ground floor plan
Hoofddorp Fort Island
First floor plan
Hoofddorp Fort Island
Plan