Can high-rise buildings also be contextual?
Lighthouse
Eindhoven welcomes a new eye-catcher: Lighthouse rises 109 meters above the city. Eindhoven's tallest residential tower to date houses 333 rental apartments, ranging from 40 to 110 m², along with nine penthouses. The ground floor and first two levels offer space for vibrancy, including creative and contemporary shops, hospitality facilities, and cultural concepts. Lighthouse is located in Strijp-S, a relatively new mixed-use district built on the former site of the Philips factories, which operated there until the mid-20th century. Strijp-S is a place for living, working, innovation, and creative festivals, connecting the area to the future.
The design of Lighthouse pays tribute to architect Dirk Roosenburg, Philips’ house architect, who designed many buildings in Strijp-S. His work is known for its strong rhythm and verticality. Lighthouse follows a strict structural logic with a sculptural composition consisting of a clearly defined foot, knee, shoulder, and crown. This gives the building its regular vertical rhythm, which organizes all architectural interventions into a clear structure. The articulation and intersections in the building respond to the heights of the surrounding architecture. The design prioritizes sustainability and optimal living comfort. The robust, maintenance-free façade is clad in light grey and white bricks, with golden-yellow aluminium window frames. Also behind the façade, innovative and sustainable solutions contribute to residential quality. A generous entrance and transparent, flexible plinth add liveliness to the square. Designed as a vibrant urban building that aligns with the heights and dynamics of its surroundings, Lighthouse forms a sculptural beacon in Strijp-S.
data
- Location
- Eindhoven, NL
- Size
- 33.905 m²
- Client
- Spoorzone B.V
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Housing, Retail
- Period
- 2019-2025
- Status
- Completed
- Photography
- WAX. Mitchell van Eijk
- Partners
- SDK Vastgoed, Stam + De Koning Bouw, Visser & Smit Bouw, Snijders Ingenieursgroep
- themes
Eindhoven
Lighthouse
109 metres of urban vibrancy on former Philips grounds
Eindhoven has a new eye-catcher: Lighthouse rises 109 metres above the city. Currently the tallest tower in town, it accommodates 333 rental apartments ranging from 40 to 110 m², and nine penthouses on the top three floors. The ground floor and first two levels offer space for vibrancy, including creative and contemporary shops, hospitality facilities, and cultural concepts.
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. Strijp-S is a place for living, working, innovation, and creative festivals, connecting the area to the future.
Urban development of Strijp-S
The so-called triangle between Torenallee and Philitenlaan is bordered on the Torenallee side by the Hoge Rug, a row of larger residential buildings of similar height. In the traingle behind, alongside existing buildings, several towers are emerging that together form a new skyline. West8 created the urban development plan for this area, of which Lighthouse is a key component.
A distinctive Entrance
Lighthouse is located at the end of Philitelaan, directly opposite the Klokgebouw, together marking the entrance to Strijp-S. Philitelaan deviates from the predominantly east-west orientation of the masterplan. 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 the building is situated on this newly formed square.
Design with rhythm, scale, and craftsmanship
The building design is a sculpture with a foot, knee, shoulder and crown, and with a head and a tail. The sections and intersections of the building match the heights of the surrounding buildings on Strijp-S. In addition, the design of the building must comply with a strict structure resultings from the efficient construction method. The building is tunneled, with no exceptions being madje in the dimensions of the tunnels to be used. This strict structure, together with the sculpture, forms the basis of the design of the Lighthouse.
The building also has a regular vertical rhythm, which organizes all the interventions in the building as a clear structure, referring to the work of architect Dirk Roosenburg, the house architect of Philips, who designed many of the buildings on Strijp-S. The façade is clad with light-grey and white bricks and golden yellow aluminum frames. The horizontal bands are made of white concrete. All details support the concept of the building and emphasize its verticality. The building thus fits in with the lightness and optimism that Strijp-S exudes.
Iconic entrance to Strijp-S
The position of the Lighthouse is at the end of Philitelaan, opposite the Klokgebouw, which together mark the entrance of Strijp-S. The Philitenlaan deviates from the predominantly east-west direction of the plan area. An angular shift that takes into account the original position of the industrial track on Strijp S is made visible in the volume of the Lighthouse. On the other side, the Lighthouse forms the boundary of the square where, in addition to the Haasje-Over building, the Ketelhuis and the Machinekamer are also located. The main entrance of the building is located on this newly formed square.
