Raymond Haenen

A final project must ‘tease’; attract your attention and tell an interesting tale. The task I gave myself was to bring the former artifort plant back to life, which is situated on Brouwersweg, on the west side of Maastricht. My main interest was to reveal the potential of these types of rooms, while preserving the
qualities which attracted me at first.

The halls with monumental cellars are situated on the edge of the city centre, on the location of the former fortifications. The industrial block of buildings which dates back to the early twentieth century, was one
of the first buildings to be located outside the ring after the demolition of the fortifications in 1867. The building is now situated behind an apartment building which was erected in the 1980s, on a semi-public hidden square that has no contact with the rest of the city.

Through urban development I created an axial emphasis, both from the city to the old plant as well as an entrance that should ensure the building is released from its surrounding oppression. The axial direction makes the historical location evident; it is strengthened by the lower block, parallel to the plant, that constructs a barrier between public and private space. The monumental cellars are opened up from the now public square, through a wide staircase that connects the several underground levels. A wide ‘avenue’ passes by a block that houses supporting functions and gives access to the new parking garage.

By minimal intervention both the cellars and the halls are prepared for their new function as centre of applied arts that facilitates exhibitions, workshops, conferences and ‘live & work’ houses, and preserves the original industrial atmosphere.