The challenge
In the historic center of Nieuwpoort near the UNESCO-listed grain hall and surrounding heritage buildings, the city owned land with a clear ambition: to develop a new, modern administrative center. This center needed to bring together dispersed municipal services while respecting the historical context of the site.
The complexity of the project lay in balancing heritage, urban integration and future-oriented working. The city aimed not only to construct a new building, but also to take a significant step towards a more integrated organization and activity-based working. This required a strategic approach beyond architecture alone.
Our approach
brainmove initiated the project with an in-depth analysis phase, including profile analysis, vision development and interactive workshops. These insights were translated into a vision document that served as the foundation for the architectural competition.
A distinctive element of the project was brainmove’s participation in the competition process and the jury. This ensured a strong alignment between workplace strategy and architectural design, and allowed for the selection of a proposal that truly met the city’s needs and ambitions.
In a subsequent phase, brainmove collaborated with the architect to further refine and optimize the design in line with functional and organizational requirements, with a strong focus on flexibility, sustainability and future adaptability.
In addition, brainmove supported the city in broader questions related to service delivery and infrastructure, including the analysis of future services on the site and the development of a new technical services building, also based on activity-based working principles.
A key concept within the design is the creation of a central informal space in the form of an atrium connecting the different buildings on the site. This space acts as a social hub, facilitating interaction, informal meetings and waiting areas.
Result
The project results in a well-founded, future-oriented design that bridges the historical character of the site with a modern, flexible work environment.
Nieuwpoort now has a shared vision and a high-quality architectural concept that supports both internal collaboration and external service delivery. The choice of a sustainable and multifunctional building ensures adaptability to future needs and even potential changes in function.
The city has also successfully completed a robust architectural process, leading to a clear selection and a well-supported design. The building permit has been approved and construction has started, marking a significant step towards a more integrated and future-ready organization.
