Former Gas Plant converted into Sustainable Hub Collective

'Made by NRE,' a collective hub designed by architectural firm Houben/Van Mierlo, was selected in 2018 by the Eindhoven municipality as the winning bidder for four previously undeveloped areas at the EBT site in Eindhoven. Occupying the site of a former gas plant, this collective hub focuses on a collection of residents, entrepreneurs, designers, and makers by providing business spaces within it, such as craft and creative workplaces, exhibition halls, language schools, antique car garages, restaurants, small hotels, and parking facilities.

Exterior view of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

'Made by NRE' is the latest development to complete the transformation of the EBT site; the site has been transformed into a highly sustainable, open, and vibrant part of the city with living and working areas, with space for art and recreation. In this design, four existing buildings are rearranged into necessary spaces in a hub collective such as Ambachtsdorp, which consists of twelve very different residences around the collective courtyard, with a square shape making this residence get a lot of sunlight. In addition, the inner garden provides the building and its inhabitants with an intimate and sheltered outdoor space. This residence is also arranged like a 'Tetris' puzzle that allows the creation of optimal space by the space program and budget for its residents.

Above view of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

Exterior view of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

In addition, there is The Body Building, developed by three designers; this space is designed as a studio space with a collective presentation room. A Werkgebouw area is designated to accommodate a group of entrepreneurs who need a multifunctional space. The space could eventually house five offices in the office space, including the Houben/Van Mierlo architects' office.

Exterior view of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

Workspace interior of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

Studio interior of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

Workspace interior of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

Various kinds occur in this design, ranging from programming the space needed for each collective member, determining space to create an effective and efficient space, to strengthening so that existing buildings can still be used safely and comfortably. This can be seen in the changes in the facades of existing buildings, whose original idea was inspired by the human body, where the bones can be read through the skin, and by the appearance of scaffolding structures wrapped in white plastic paper. In addition, this façade design also functions as an additional load-bearing structure in buildings made of dry steel systems and can be dismantled with steel facades and polycarbonate profiles.

There is also cross-laminated wood (CLT) on the load-bearing structure of the building, including the façade; there is also a façade covered with lime plaster and a layer of paint. This bio-based material is an effort by the architect team to provide a shell that can breathe and create a healthy indoor climate, but also this material can store more than 200 tons of CO2.

Exterior view of 'Made by NRE', Photo by Bas Gijselhart

To strengthen the sustainability of this design, the architects added a green roof, a large roof garden, and a green façade designed as a slatted frame on spacers covered in a sophisticated palette of plants planted on open ground level. This is also a tender request; the plot for PARK NRE aims to meet the demand for additional parking created by transforming the EBT site. An office building was created above the parking lot to maintain the intimate structure of streets, alleys, and squares at the EBT location.

Ground floor plan of 'Made by NRE', Source by Houben / Van Mierlo Architecten

1st floor plan of 'Made by NRE', Source by Houben / Van Mierlo Architecten

2nd floor plan of 'Made by NRE', Source by Houben / Van Mierlo Architecten