
How does a rectangular volume transform into stepped roofscape?

Groningen

Mercado


Groningen city centre is undergoing an ambitious transformation. The area on the north side of the Grote Markt is part of this. The Rode Weeshuisstraat, located to the rear, is intended to become a springboard for the northern zone of the city centre. Project developers MWPO and Beauvast set themselves the goal of breathing new life into this street with the construction of Mercado. Construction began on Mercado started at the end of December 2020. This public market hall with luxury apartments above was designed by the architectural team of De Zwarte Hond and Loer Architecten.

Narrow

Reposition

Optimal sunlight

Relation context

Public program

Greening of teraces
The existing situation has been transformed from a rectangular box to a stepped roof landscape. A new square is created for the city, as well as green terraces for future residents.
Mercado brings light, air and dynamism to the street and even adds a new square





The custom ceramic façade elements are made from beige clay with a green-blue glaze. The pastel shades of the former orphanage across the street were used as inspiration for the design.
With its green roof terraces, generic construction and flexible programme, the gas-free Mercado adds a future-proof building to the city of Groningen.
Mercado Groningen
Groningen city centre is undergoing an ambitious transformation. The area on the north side of the Grote Markt is part of this. The Rode Weeshuisstraat, located to the rear, is intended to become a springboard for the northern zone of the city centre. Project developers MWPO and Beauvast set themselves the goal of breathing new life into this street with the construction of Mercado. The architectural team of De Zwarte Hond and Loer Architecten is behind the design for a mixed-use development featuring a monumental covered market hall and 41 comfortable apartments above it. The design contributes to the greening of the city centre. The vertical gardens of the façade, combined with green roof terraces and colourful planting, offer a unique living experience and effectively upgrade the entire street. The market hall is located in the plinth and has a completely transparent façade. This adds illumination to the street, making it more attractive. The glass plinth also offers a beautiful view of the tree-like cantilevered pillars that support the upper floors. The custom-made ceramic façade elements are made from beige clay with a green-blue glaze, inspired by the pastel shades of the former orphanage on the other side of the street. The contrast between the transparent plinth and these ceramic-tiled upper floors gives the building a floating appearance. The stepped apartments each have their own roof terrace with a spectacular view over the ever-changing city of Groningen.
details
- Project
- Mercado Groningen
- Location
- Groningen, NL
- Size
- 8.400 m²
- Period
- 2018-2023
- Client
- MWPO, Beauvast
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Catering & Retail, Residential
- Status
- Development Phase
- Photography
- Ronald Zijlstra, Colordot
- Partners
- Loer Architecten
- More info
- bd@dezwartehond.nl