Haparandadam is the winning proposal by NL Architects for a cultural facility in Houthavens West meant to improve the attractiveness of the area to the public by way of a cultural meeting place at the coming together of city and port. This meeting place is actually new land, purpose created and so new that it doesn’t even appear on Google Earth!
courtesy of NL Architects
The meshing of city and port creates an amalgam of building typologies, from living and education, working, cultural and leisure. Here the arts have a swath of inspirations to draw from, making it a perfect location for a performance venue. The question NL Studio posed to itself is ‘how can one construct host the multitude of functions which might locate in such a place?’
courtesy of NL Architects
NL Architects’ solution is to combine three iconic typologies as individual elements, into a seamless unifying whole. A central platform with arms of fashion walk, theatre seating, and cinema backdrop. The whole thing revolves to provide for performances with different backdrops- to port, water or city. This creates the possibility for an almost infinite set of conditions between the venue and the square off of which it sits.
courtesy of NL Architects
© NL Architects
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.