Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht by MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Image © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Part of the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre, the future building is commonly known as ‘Het Paviljoen’ (‘The Pavilion’). It has a gross floor area of roughly 3,600 m2 and will be realised above platforms 1, 2 and 3 of Utrecht’s station area. A variety of retail and hospitality concepts will be moving into the pavilion in the near future. The ambition is to earn a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ design certificate for the building.

Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Image © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

The project will be realised within an entirely new environment in Utrecht’s station area: Stationsplein-Oost. This site is where the station hall formerly converged with the adjacent shopping mall ‘Hoog Catharijne’. In the period ahead, it will be transformed into a brand new square, located several metres above grade level. Under the new square, the world’s largest bicycle storage facility will be realised, as well as various connecting routes to the other public transport options at Central Station (trams and buses).

Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Image © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

The design was determined in part by the unique complexity of the construction site itself. For example, the building’s entire load-bearing structure will be only supported by the pillars of the platforms below, and one of the facades will be realised within reaching distance of the station hall’s overhead lines.Taking this into account, the design opts for a prefab glass façade, which will be realised on site during the scheduled train-free periods.

Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Image © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

This means that train connections routed via the Netherlands’ busiest railway station will not be interrupted by the Pavilion’s construction. The project will be realised in an environment marked by tremendous dynamism, flows (around 88 million visitors per year) and an abundance of expressive architectural forms. Within these hectic surroundings, the building’s design distinguishes itself through its clarity and purist approach to design. Source by MoederscheimMoonen Architects.

Architects- Retail pavilion at Stationsplein-Oost in Utrecht
Image © MoederscheimMoonen Architects

Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Architects: MoederscheimMoonen Architects
Head Architect: Erik Moederscheim
Project Team: Jelle Rinsema, Nick de Lange, Anna Kowalik
Structural engineering: Van Rossum BV
Installation advice: Galjema & Veccins 3D
Breeam advice: Peutz BV
Client: Klépierre Retail Development
Contractor: Boele van Eesteren BV
Construction: starts in 2016
Final acceptance: scheduled for mid-2017
Images: Courtesy of MoederscheimMoonen Architects

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