Design of the future Town Hall

New building

We are transforming the Corps de Garde, the current police station, to create a new entrance and reception area for the Town Hall: the Antechamber.

Why there?

The Corps de Garde was rebuilt in 1965, and contains few original elements. If we carry out the greatest changes there, we can retain the more historically valuable parts of the Town Hall.

The new Antechamber is clearly recognisable as an entrance, but will be modestly in the shadow of the Voorhuis. That will remain untouched.

What interventions are we carrying out?

• The stairs on the outside of the Corps de Garde will be removed.
• We will make the Antechamber’s floor level with that of the Grote Markt.
• There will be an additional building in the form of an octagon built on top of the current police station.
• It will house a new staircase and lift. You will pass through the Antechamber to the historic Town Hall.

Why an octagon?

The shape and stones of the new building recall the towers of the Town Hall, the Tafelrond and Saint Peter’s Church: all octagons with a maze structure.

Accessible and sustainable

Smooth circulation

There are many differences in level between the historic houses. As a result, it is difficult to navigate.

• There will be lifts and stairs throughout the Town Hall to bridge these intermediate floors.
• We will reopen the existing tower stairs.
• The Vrijthof will be a green place to take a break. We will solve the differences in level with a sloping path that connects the Antechamber and Naamsestraat.
• On Naamsestraat, there will be a second entrance with a café.

Sustainable building

• We are insulating the roofs as much as possible.
• We will generate heat using a BES field under the Antechamber and the Boekhandelplein.
• We are using modern techniques to heat the building at a low temperature.
• We are adding green areas and reducing hard areas on the Boekhandelplein and the Vrijthof.

Design Team

The design team aNNo & FELT, Atelier Arne Deruyter, 88888, ENDEAVOUR, BAS and SCALA explain the new purpose and design.