How does a special mix of functions result in a social and efficient building?
BWRI Sappemeer
De Zwarte Hond designed an energy-neutral building with a timber structure for BWRI (Company for Work, Reintegration and Income) in Sappemeer. Previously, the organization operated from three outdated and poorly maintained locations. The new building brings together all departments and functions under one roof, offering an accessible and pleasant environment for a diverse—and sometimes vulnerable—group of users. The integration of various functions was carefully considered in the design. Internally, the building is compact and efficiently organized, yet forms a cohesive whole. By thoughtfully separating and blending functions, the building provides both an inviting space for visitors and a comfortable working environment for staff. Positioned centrally on the plot, the building naturally and safely separates the public outdoor areas at the front from the logistics zone at the rear. The green, park-like front garden includes seating areas and parking for bicycles and cars. In addition to a compact and cost-efficient design, the project had high sustainability ambitions. The building is fully energy-neutral. A large proportion of the existing steel trusses have been reused. The existing concrete floors have been used as formwork for the new floors. This significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint. The office area has been constructed in a demountable manner using wooden floors, trusses, and columns.
data
- Location
- Sappemeer, NL
- Size
- 6.000 m²
- Client
- Gemeente Midden-Groningen
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Offices, Well-being
- Period
- 2023-2025
- Status
- In Development
- Photography
- Ronald Zijlstra
- Partners
- SWECO, Basalt, Vintis, ZRI, Sax architecten, RYSE, Marseille Buiten
Hoogezand
BWRI Sappemeer
Work and growth under one roof
The new location of BWRI is situated along the Oude Winschoterdiep. The building forms a characteristic element of this historic site. The design refers to the former factory buildings that once stood here, giving it a timeless and robust appearance.
BWRI initially functioned as an implementation organisation for job seekers and income support. Over time, its services have expanded to include training placements and employment contracts. BWRI is thus evolving into a development company where residents can work towards paid employment in a safe and supportive environment.
BWRI previously operated from three different locations, all of which were outdated and in poor condition. The new building brings together the various tasks and departments and provides an accessible and pleasant place for a diverse — and sometimes vulnerable — group of users.
A central building with an efficient layout
We have carefully considered the whole design to create a place that is a pleasant environment where the organization of the different functions also comes together. The building is located in the centre of the site, leaving space at the front for a public entrance with a park and parking area for cars and bicycles. This green park and the terrace with (vegetable) garden form an inviting entrance. At the back of the building is the logistics area, including loading bays, containers and fleet of the Green Department. This creates a logical separation of functions and makes a welcoming entrance for visitors.
We have ensured that everything works together by placing all the functions next to the impressive public entrance:
- A public area which everyone can enter (the restaurant and the ‘work square’)
- An area with offices and meeting functions
- A working area where workshops, production and logistics are easily accessible and visible from this central location in the building.
The interior of the building is compact and efficiently laid out. The workshops and production areas are accessed via a light corridor that runs along the north and south façades. The layout of these areas around the warehouse and dispatch area ensures short and safe routes. This means that employees and customers have a direct relationship with the restaurant and office. Meetings between these different departments are made possible by the central heart with its void and staircase. At the same time, low-stimulus routes have been created where necessary.
Less demolition
Instead of completely demolishing the existing building, a large part of the original steel trusses has been reused. The existing concrete floors serve as formwork for the new floors, significantly reducing the CO₂ footprint. The office section is constructed using a demountable system of timber floors, beams and columns. The new building volume is realised in a biobased timber structure with columns, beams and hollow-core timber floor slabs. These floors remain exposed, are filled with mass and sound-absorbing material, and thus contribute to good acoustics throughout the building.
Achieving high sustainability ambitions
In addition to a compact and cost-efficient design, the project pursued ambitious sustainability goals. The building is fully energy neutral. The existing structure has been fitted with well-insulated new roofs and façades, which form a coherent whole with the new construction. Structural stability is ensured by slender steel bracing elements positioned strategically throughout the building and by diaphragm action within the floors, connecting individual floor elements. This results in flexible layouts that can adapt to future changes and contribute to the long-term viability of the building.
The façades are robustly executed in brick, meeting the requirement for a low-maintenance building. Large windows connect users with their surroundings and provide abundant daylight within the workspaces.The Final Design was developed in close collaboration with consultants. By overlaying and clash-testing the various IFC models, an integrated approach was adopted at an early stage to limit execution risks.
