Can you live in a tower and still feel part of the landscape?
Utrecht
Lomanlaan
© Het Utrechts Archief
Existing situation
Two new residential towers are being built along the Lomanlaan in Utrecht, adjacent to the Transwijk Park. To make way for this development, two outdated office buildings that obstructed the view of the park were demolished. The new towers, with 14 and 16 storeys respectively, contain a total of 215 social housing units and complement the row of twin buildings along Lomanlaan.
Clear volumes offer views of Transwijk Park
Visual links to Transwijk Park are restored
Optimization of the built-up area to provide more green space & more connections
Green zone location
Bringing the park closer to the residents
With a solid urban plinth five metres high, including a tea house and other hospitality facilities, the towers are in line with the height of the buildings in Transwijk. At the same time, they have their ‘feet in the park’. The strategic spacing of the towers restores the view of the park from the neighbourhood. This is further enhanced by underground parking for cars and bicycles, which transforms the park’s greenery into a continuous landscape.
The park-like environment around the buildings also creates a natural transition between the park and the Transwijk and Kanaleneiland districts. The two towers, in combination with the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge, serve as a renewed access route to the park. As a result, the green entrance area and the park are better interwoven with the neighbourhood, resulting in a meeting place for residents.
Glass mosaic by Nicolaas Wijnberg
Strong plasticity and durable materials
The residential towers have a striking appearance, with a strong plasticity created by the prefabricated concrete façade with its recessed window frames. The apartments offer a high quality living environment with views of the park and angled living rooms in the corners of the towers. The balconies have also been carefully designed, using durable materials that are resistant to wear and tear, giving residents the feeling of coming home.
Recycled materials and climate adaptation
From a sustainability perspective, research is underway to see if it is possible to build the towers using recycled materials. Consideration will also be given to water-permeable pathways and the construction of rainwater collection and drainage systems on the outside of the buildings. Solar panels will be installed on the roofs.
The plan also includes space for the large glass mosaic created by Nicolaas Wijnberg in 1969. This artwork was on the outside of the building until 1991, when it was moved to a foyer near the meeting rooms. The design took the artwork into account, giving it a prominent place in the exterior façade.
Ground floor
First floor
Lomanlaan Utrecht
Two new residential towers are being built along the Lomanlaan in Utrecht, next to the Transwijk Park. To make way for this development, two outdated office buildings that obstructed the view of the park were demolished. The new towers, with 14 and 16 storeys respectively, contain a total of 215 social housing units and complement the row of twin buildings along the Lomanlaan.
With a solid urban plinth five metres high, including a tea house and other hospitality facilities, the towers are in line with the Transwijk buildings in terms of height. The strategic spacing of the towers restores the view of the park from the neighbourhood. This is further enhanced by underground parking for cars and bicycles, so that the greenery of the park becomes a continuous landscape.
The residential towers have a striking appearance with a strong plasticity created by the precast concrete façade with its recessed windows. The apartments offer a high quality living environment with views of the park and angled living rooms in the corners of the towers.
The construction of the towers is based on sustainable options such as the use of recycled materials, water-permeable pathways, exterior rainwater drainage systems and the installation of solar panels on the roofs.
data
- Location
- Utrecht, NL
- Size
- Client
- Woonin
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Corporaties, Residential
- Period
- 2023
- Status
- Development Phase
- Partners
- ERA Contour
- themes
