Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Those who see Lighthouse do not see an isolated building, but a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Strijp-S. The powerful tower marks the west side of the area and completes an urban planning puzzle that has been in development for years. Development manager Tom van Loo of SDK Vastgoed (part of VolkerWessels) explains how this project grew into one of the most defining additions to the Eindhoven district.
SDK Vastgoed has been an area developer at Strijp-S for more than twenty years. This long-term involvement determines the strength of the area, according to Van Loo. “What makes Strijp-S unique is that we are not building a single project here, but an entire neighborhood. We've been involved for 24 years and will certainly be involved for another ten years. It's not only about the end result, but also definitely about all the intermediate steps.”
The long-term cooperation with the municipality and the corporations Trudo and Woonbedrijf forms the foundation. “We have built up a tremendous basis of trust together and focus on the same dot on the horizon. This allows you to make sharp choices when necessary.”
Before Lighthouse saw the light of day, two previous designs stranded. Van Loo does not see that as failure, but as part of a long-term process. “Some projects take time. The momentum has to be right.” At Lighthouse, that's what happened. From day one, the collaboration between architect De Zwarte Hond and VolkerWessels contractors Stam + de Koning Bouw and Visser & Smit Bouw, under the leadership of SDK Vastgoed, was set up differently. “We started calculating and drawing at the same time. No enticements or side paths, but purposeful design for feasibility. As a result, we didn't have to cut back on the rich detailing and materialization and were thus able to keep the overall architectural quality high.” That approach made the choice of traditional masonry at one hundred meters possible. “We want to give each building at Strijp-S its own character. This masonry makes the design stand out and is consistent with a proven construction system in which the contractors can properly assess risks.”
In addition, its position in the neighborhood played a major role. The tower had to be right not only as an individual project, but also fit into the long line of area development. This applies to the architecture, but just as much to logistics, quality of life and the pace of construction. The team constantly looked at the balance between ambition and manufacturability.
Lighthouse forms a new connection between the Klokgebouw, Strijp-R and the Machinekamerplein. “We made urban design incisions that strengthen the relationship with the surroundings,” says Van Loo. The commercial plinth is deliberately designed for an area-wide function. And the housing program also matches the demand in the neighborhood. “At Strijp-S, we realize differentiation at the area level, not per building. This allows us to design in a more focused way and makes it a real city neighborhood for everyone.” The tower offers 333 housing units for different target groups, a mix that fits the current demand in Eindhoven and provides space for different households.
With Lighthouse, not only has a new residential tower been completed, but also a solid anchor point for the further development of this part of the city. The project shows how long-term cooperation and a sharp focus on feasibility lead to results that move the neighborhood forward.
