Can high-rise buildings also be contextual?
Lighthouse
Lighthouse rises 109 meters above Eindhoven. Currently the tallest tower in the city, the building designed by De Zwarte Hond comprises 324 rental apartments ranging from 40 to 110 m², and nine penthouses. The plinth and the first two floors provide space for commercial and social functions. West8 designed the urban development plan for Strijp-S, a relatively new dynamic working and residential area on the former Philips site. Lighthouse is the final element of this plan, located at the beginning of Philitelaan, between the Klokgebouw and the Machinekamer (Engine Room). The design is a vertical brick sculpture with varying height levels that relate to the iconic buildings in the immediate vicinity. From the plinth to the crown, attention has been paid to materialization and detailing, in the tradition of the work of Dirk Roosenburg, architect of many of the early Philips buildings. The final design maximizes rentable floor space without compromising architectural quality. Where the building tapers, horizontal lines and space for communal roof gardens emerge. Each apartment has a private outdoor space integrated into the building’s volume. The building’s basement provides bicycle parking and storage space, as well as housing the technical installations, which allows the plinth to remain transparent and open. Public amenities are spread over two floors here, adding to the vibrancy of the square (the Machinekamerplein). Lighthouse creates a striking silhouette on Eindhoven’s skyline and seamlessly integrates into the vibrant context of Strijp-S.
data
- Location
- Eindhoven, NL
- Size
- 32.360 m²
- Client
- Spoorzone B.V, SDK Vastgoed B.V.
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Housing, Retail
- Period
- 2019-2025
- Status
- Completed
- Photography
- Sebastian van Damme, WAX. Mitchell van Eijk
- Partners
- SDK Vastgoed, Stam + De Koning Bouw, Visser & Smit Bouw, Adviesbureau Tielemans
- themes
Eindhoven
Lighthouse
109 meters of urban vibrancy on the former Philips site
Lighthouse rises 109 meters above Eindhoven. The city’s tallest tower to date houses 333 rental apartments ranging from 40 to 110 m2 and nine penthouses on the top three floors. The plinth and the first two floors provide space for commercial and social functions.
Lighthouse is located in Strijp-S, a relatively new mixed-use district built on the site where Philips factories stood until the mid-20th century. The dynamic Strijp-S offers space for working, living, innovation, and creative festivals as a connection to the future.
Urban development of Strijp-S
West8 desgined the urban development plan for Strijp-S. Lighthouse is the final element of this plan, located at the start of Philitelaan between the Klokgebouw and the Machinekamer (Engine Room), and opposite the Gloeilampplantsoen (Light Bulb Park).
The volume of Lighthouse reveals a shift in angle that acknowledges the original position of the industrial railway line on Strijp-S. On the other side, Lighthouse defines the edge of the square, which is also bordered by buildings such as Haasje-Over, the Ketelhuis, and the Machinekamer. The main entrance to Lighthouse is situated on this newly formed square.
Brick sculpture in harmony with its context
The design is a vertical brick sculpture with varying height levels that relate to the iconic buildings in the immediate vicinity. The lantern at the top and the evening lighting on the façades are an ode to the history of this place.
A rugged façade with details right up to the top
The architecture of Lighthouse exemplifies craftsmanship. From the plinth to the crown, attention has been paid to the materialization and detailing, in the tradition of Dirk Roosenburg, the architect of many of the early Philips buildings. Lighthouse is constructed from four materials: brick, concrete, aluminium and glass. Where the building tapers, horizontal lines and space for communal roof gardens emerge. The diagonal line of the building is emphasized by an impressive serration, which connects to the monumental colonnade on the square adjacent to the Machinekamer. This is also where the striking entrance to the residential building’s lobby and amenities is located.
Each apartment has a private outdoor space integrated into the building’s volume. On the south side, these are spacious indoor balconies, while on the north side, loggias in the tower mitigate noise pollution from the adjacent railway line.
From plinth to crown: attention to materials and detailing
A liveable high-rise
The building’s basement provides bicycle parking and storage space, as well as housing the technical installations, which allows the plinth to remain transparent and open. Public amenities are spread over two floors here, adding to the vibrancy of the square (the Machinekamerplein). Lighthouse is within walking distance of Eindhoven Strijp-S station. Cars will be parked in the nearby shared parking hub. Shared roof gardens at various heights provide meeting places, while each individual apartment has a French balcony or a winter garden.
Feasibility and architectural quality
De Zwarte Hond and SDK together established an integrated project team with equal representation from all partners. De Zwarte Hond oversaw the design process, during which the spatial design, urban planning requirements and financial feasibility were developed in parallel. The final design maximizes rentable floor space without compromising architectural quality.
Cross-section 1:500
Ground floor 1:200
4th floor 1:200
19th floor 1:200
32nd floor 1:200
