Jan Vanweert

Stad aan het water - Kantoorgebouw 'Rijkswaterstaat'

The current picture of Roermond vaguely shows the nature of her origin on the waterfront. Therefore the urbanistic proposition stresses the re-connection of city and water. The harbour-area has been analysed in order to rehabilitate Roermond as a ‘water-city’. The area appears fit to function as a chain between the two poles. City and water get re-connected by east-west orientated axes which fit in with the existing street plan of the city.
Through a fusion of living, working and recreation, a constant occupation in the area is guaranteed. A striking aspect in this plan is the strip that touches the water. It is covered by an inclined, concrete platform which carries 7 towers. The transition from water to city is smooth and gradual. The inclined plates are arranged with pavement and greenery. In this way the relation with the opposite landscape is obvious. Also the image of the undiked Maas –characteristic for the river from Maastricht- is kept. By these interventions Roermond in a subtle, architectural way again gets in touch with the water.

The inclined platform carries the concept of the mixture of functions. Activity below the plates is city-centred. Activity on the plates is turned to the water and the meadows. By their orientation and decoration, these city-like terraces are ideal rest-spaces and favour the image of Roermond – ‘water-city’.

The most detailed part of the project contains one plate and one tower. Towards the street, under the platform an info-centre has been designed to make the activity of ‘Rijkswaterstaat – Limburg’ public. The tower contains the offices of this institute. The design for this tower was rather a research for a new office-typology. A variety of circulation-patterns, lights and sights throughout the floors connect the collaborating services of ‘Rijkswaterstaat’. The whole is covered and reflected vaguely in the opaque skin which is part of the weather-skin. The facades are perforated with clear glass shields in order to provide out-looks over city and water.

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