Culture Cluster Zinder

Tiel, NL

How do you create a stage for a city?

Tiel

Zinder

The municipality of Tiel is actively boosting the attraction of its city. The qualities of the river Waal will be exploited more fully and the relationship between the city centre and the river reinforced. The level of facilities is being raised and access to the city centre will also be improved. Zinder had to become the stage from and for the city and the region. A place where people meet, make music, dance, play theater, follow courses, lectures and debates and get information.

Transformation differences in height

Entrance routes

Ground Floor

First Floor

Second Floor

Basement

What carries the plan is the raised culture podium: a new plaza with the volumes of the arts centre (Zinder Education) and the public library. The podium exploits the differences in height of the venue, transforming it into an attractive recreational area that will function as an extension to the culture building – blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. The differences in height are transformed into usable spaces and an intimate viewpoint overlooking the river is created. A four-storey, underground car park ensures that the former parking area on the Waal can, in future, be used for events. By separating the entrance to the car park from the building and also thereby giving it shape, the city centre gains a new, welcoming entrance. Visitors to Zinder, but also to the adjacent Agnietenhof Theatre & Film Theatre and the city centre, can park here.

Stimulating culture cluster gives Tiel a positive boost

Culture Cluster Zinder

The new culture cluster pulsates and stimulates and invites the inhabitants of Tiel and the surrounding area to participate. Music or dance lessons, follow a painting course, borrow books, rehearse with your band and go to a pop concert, it’s all happening in Zinder. The building floats as it were above the culture podium. Next to it, there is a robust, natural stone volume where the library is located. While Zinder Education is a prominent landmark in Tiel, the library seeks more connection with the historic city centre. The central entrance hall forms the link between the two volumes. Here visitors meet and inspire each other. The library has an open connection to the hall and there is a cafe directly next to the main entrance. The façade of Zinder Education comprises faceted aluminium elements, anodised with a golden colour. Together, the folded panels form an origami pattern presenting a constantly varying image, depending on the perspective and the weather conditions. The outdoor plaza flows subtly into the interior, to the central hall that spans the entire height of the building. The art library displays its latest acquisitions here, and the tourist information desk and the Tiel archive have their counters here. The sculptural staircase is the eye-catcher providing access to the studios, classrooms and offices on the various floors. The multi-functional hall is also accessed via the central hall, so that it can also serve as an exhibition space, for example.

details

Project
Culture Cluster Zinder
Location
Tiel, NL
Size
22.500 m²
Period
2012-2017
Client
VolkerWessels Bouw & Vastgoedontwikkeling Midden bv
Discipline
Architecture, Urban Design
Program
Catering & Retail, Culture, Education
Status
Completed
Photography
ScagliolaBrakkee, Emanuele Scorcelletti
Awards
  • Steden in Beweging Award
More info
bd@dezwartehond.nl