Nomination Werkspoor factory best building 2020

The Werkspoor factory in Utrecht has received a double nomination for best building and best office building of 2020. Last year, the old factory was completely rebuilt and transformed with an innovative and circular building system by the Utrecht-based firms Respace and Sustainer Homes. They did this together with ZECC Architects, among others, commissioned by Overvecht Vastgoed BV. To celebrate this, there will be tours of the Werkspoor factory in November for anyone with a passion for architecture and innovation.

The empty 175-meter-long hall was sustainably transformed in a few months. And now gives place to 50 innovative creative enterprises and a large beer brewery. Right in the middle of the Werkspoorkwartier, the place for creative and entrepreneurial Utrecht. The combination of the preservation of the industrial character and the new spatial design is praised in both nominations. On October 22 and 28, the winners of both awards will be announced by the juries.

To address the shortage of real estate in the Netherlands, U trechts architecture firm Sustainer Homes developed the Respace building system. There is currently demand across the Netherlands for nearly 40 million m2 of residential space1 2 and half a million m2 of office space in Amsterdam alone3 . While 30 million m2 of real estate is vacant4 . With Respace's building system, much of the vacant real estate can be converted into usable living or working space. The Werkspoor factory is an example of this.

CEO of Sustainer Homes, Gert van Vugt: "The sad plaster walls we know from offices are really no longer needed. With this system you get sustainability and circularity in return. This building does not feel like an office, but like a village in the city where you know and meet each other. It has helped transform the Werkspoorkwartier into a 'place to be' in Utrecht."

Via r espace.com/tour, sign up for 1 of the tours on Nov. 4, 11 or 18 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. In view of corona measures, there is room for a maximum of 15 participants per day.

Born out of Sustainer Homes and Project in Green, Respace offers a modular, wood-frame system for property transformation. It allows real estate to retain its character while becoming flexible in use. Through the use of parametric design and the automated manufacturing process, it is quick to implement and less costly than regular construction methods.

Learn more: respace.co.uk