Multifunctional Center Klarendal

Arnhem, NL

How do you turn a barracks into the heart of a neighbourhood?

Arnhem

Klarendal

Menno van Coehoorn barracks

The multifunctional MFA Klarendal centre is located on the site of the former Menno van Coehoorn barracks. This one-time army base is located in the middle of the Klarendal district of Arnhem, behind a monumental palisade. The barracks, built in 1885 in the neoclassical style, were named after the fortification engineer Menno van Coehoorn and formerly housed infantry. The barracks consisted of several buildings and could accommodate almost 1,000 troops.

Carefully positioning the school creates a new square linked to the neighbourhood

Three different time layers form an ensemble around the new square

The buildings are accessible from the neighbourhood square

Mature trees frame the barracks

The gym and storage rooms are sunk into the hill

A diverse and inclusive programme for the entire neighbourhood

The central staircase connects the 9 different users

The building has three floors which, due to its horizontal alignment, fits well with the existing buildings. The articulation is reinforced by the use of standing masonry bands and by increasingly lower windows towards the top.

Multifunctional Center Klarendal

The multifunctional MFA Klarendal centre is located on the site of the former Menno van Coehoorn barracks. This one-time army base is located in the middle of the Klarendal district of Arnhem, behind a monumental palisade. Now, however, the troops have made way for local residents of all ages. By having the new MFA Klarendal centre form a new ensemble with the two existing barracks buildings, the former camp is given a new meaning. This is reinforced by designing the space between the three buildings as a playground and neighbourhood square. The centre has a wide range of facilities: a children’s healthcare centre, a daycare centre, the Kunstrijk primary school, a neighbourhood shop, the community centre, various business and office spaces, a dance hall, Fred Royers’ kickboxing school, and a sports hall which meets the requirements of the Dutch Olympic Committee and Dutch Sports Federation.