De Laak and De Ronde in Eindhoven

Subtle infill in green space

On Tongelresestraat in Eindhoven, on the site of former school building De Laak and community center De Ronde, 55 new-build apartments and a space for community activities will be built around a collective green courtyard.

De Loods Architecten en Adviseurs has been involved in the redevelopment of De Laak since the acquisition phase, says architect Paul Bouw. "De Laak is part of several school sites, which the Municipality of Eindhoven sold to Woonbedrijf. Commissioned by this Eindhoven housing corporation, we carried out the feasibility studies of these locations: from transformation to expansion and replacement new construction. De Laak is one of the locations and involved an old school building with a later added side wing, which was quite disfigured. Among other things, the original entrance had been bricked up. In our design, we proposed to restore the old entrance and make the old building the centerpiece of a new ensemble. The side wing was demolished, creating space to densify with more residential units around a collective green courtyard."

Addition of The Round

Delegated developer Okko stepped in to further shape the redevelopment of De Laak. "In addition, halfway through the process, the adjacent and dated De Ronde community center was added to the plans," Bouw said. "We conducted a quick study, mapping out the benefits of merging De Laak and De Ronde for Woonbedrijf.  

On this basis, the adjoining lot was also purchased, with the agreement that De Ronde - in accordance with its wishes and in a slimmed-down form - would have a modern community center in the plinth of the new building."

Prominent place in the streetscape

A total of 55 apartments plus a new community center will be built in De Laak and De Ronde. "Of De Laak, it was mainly the front facade that ultimately remained," Bouw says. "This old facade will be restored, respecting the historic window openings. The roof will be rebuilt using the old roof tiles, and at the front we will brick a new stairway with ramp, which should bridge the difference in height at this location. This gives the old school building a prominent place in the streetscape again, with a new side wing and a new L-shaped volume forming a frame around the old school building and connecting with the adjacent buildings." 

Old and new in harmony

Like the existing facade, the new building is constructed of brick, with loggias and setbacks providing a modern interpretation. "This makes the new building unmistakably contemporary," said Bouw. "At the same time, it blends harmoniously with the existing section, thanks to a beautiful Vogelensangh masonry brick and grayed-out wood slats." All residents of De Laak and De Ronde will soon live adjacent to the green court garden, which was designed in collaboration with landscape architect Verhoeven | De Ruijter and in which the old trees have been retained."

Subtle infill

Eindhoven is working on a huge densification task, says Bouw. "With De Laak and De Ronde, we succeeded in subtly expanding 55 apartments within the city's ring road, while respecting the interests of local residents. For example, by building no higher than three stories. Because we border many existing gardens, the positions of the galleries, balconies and trees have been carefully chosen. In combination with the many green spaces, the privacy and living comfort of both residents and neighbors are guaranteed."