Hurkse Bogen

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Restoration and transformation

The original design of Hurkse Bogen dates from 1955. Over the years, the facade of the building has changed several times and the appearance is outdated.
 
The halls are full of potential, but no one sees it anymore. The characteristic arches on the Beemdstraat got repainted in variegated colors, and the facade advertising conceals the beautiful construction of the specific, semicircular arched roofs, the so-called Fusée roofs *. Furthermore, the distinctive skylights are sealed with bitumen. The facade on the Lodewijkstraat is almost completely closed so that the interior remains hidden from passers-by. As a result, the building has become a dark industrial hall over the years.
 
With a few simple interventions, we turn the building back into a light and lively industrial hall again, which does justice to the original monumental character. By making several cut-outs in the building, we create two patio-like outdoor spaces that bring more daylight into the building and make the characteristic arches visible. With these cut-outs, the complex will be divided into three units, with their own representative entrance, marked by a new office building in three floors.
 
In the design the Fusée roofs will be retained and the concrete structure will be renovated to meet the current standards. The characteristic skylights are fitted with new glass brick elements. The total appearance is strengthed by the rhythm of the columns, the eaves and by the transparent infillings.

The original facade and the cut-outs will get executed with new (glass) facades, everything to make the beautiful arch construction and the new functions visible from the outside. The original concrete structure gets reused, but the new interventions become characterized by avoiding concrete. The concrete column grid continues over the office buildings. However, the execution is more sustainable.