Werf 35

The former municipal yard in Hilversum comprises a factory complex from 1916, which is still largely in almost original condition, and a few more recent coporate buildings. Karres en Brands developed an urban concept for the transformation and redevelopment of the former city services yard into a creative incubator. The starting point of the long-term plan for Werf 35 is to preserve the spaciousness of the yard, with its distinctive and robust shed roofs, and to also integrate these in new construction so that a flexible system emerges, which gives a self-evident direction to the extensions. With this, the site offers plenty of room to grow and develop into a breeding ground for creative talent.

The Provisional Urban Plan is a translation of a concept from 2011, whereby traffic, parking, staging, and image quality are elaborated upon, among other aspects. The plan is not based on a single spatial intervention that will be carried out at the site over the course of time, but is a combination of spatial, temporal, and programmatic interventions. The plan provides a comprehensive view of the development of the municipal yard into an environment with international appeal, whereby the sum and substance of the yard is mixed with the dynamism and creativity of new media companies and other creative enterprises.

The first building complex, a transformation of the existing Building A/A1, was put in operation in 2012 by Spilgames, after a design by Bureau Fritz. It is the first phase of the redevelopment of the old yard into Werf 35, where other creative companies from the (multi-)media industry besides Spilgames, as well as other functions (hotel, day care), may also find a place in the future. The public space around Building A/A1 has been upgraded and, wherever possible, recycled materials have been applied, in addition to new furniture. A new concrete (seating) staircase forms a connection between Werf 35 and the existing Spilgames building on Arendstraat. Through the development of Werf 35, the quality of life in the surrounding neighbourhood will also improve, because the Mussenstraat—bordering the yard—gets a new quality and identity.