In Nieuw Bergen, Eindhoven, a housing estate comprising seven residential blocks designed by the MVRDV architectural practice has been built. The complex forms a dense yet attractive urban fabric which, thanks to its diversity, resembles a miniature version of a large city. In addition to the traditional-looking residential blocks, the complex also features a white tower.
The Nieuw Bergen development – a complex of seven residential buildings designed by MVRDV – has been completed in Eindhoven. The development combines five new buildings with two carefully refurbished historic structures, offering 237 diverse flats: ranging from studio flats for singles to family apartments, and from social housing to luxury penthouses. The distinctive, sharp roof slopes create a silhouette reminiscent of a mountain range, whilst also maximising natural light – thereby demonstrating that increasing development density can go hand in hand with openness, comfort and a distinct sense of place.
Transformation
At the heart of the De Bergen district stand two existing buildings – Vert and Jaune – which formerly served as police stations. MVRDV has subjected them to a thorough transformation, preserving their brickwork whilst introducing a new residential and commercial programme. The buildings have been connected by a reconstructed façade of the building that once filled the space between them. The resulting colonnaded structure evokes the memory of the former layout, whilst opening up the complex onto Grote Berg street.
Density with sensitivity
Behind the renovated buildings stand a further five structures, the scale of which increases gradually – from the six-storey Orange, housing 48 social housing flats, to the seventeen-storey Indigo tower. The transition between the different heights is emphasised by the colour gradient of the façades: from the dark red brick of the existing buildings, through shades of brown, beige and light grey, to the white stone façade of the tallest tower. As a result, the dense development blends harmoniously into Bergen’s low-rise, historic urban fabric.
The five new buildings are distinguished by a roofing system based on a precise analysis of light penetration. The roof slopes are set at a 45-degree angle to neighbouring structures, ensuring bright flats and well-lit public spaces. The slopes provide ideal surfaces for photovoltaic panels and green roofs, which enhance biodiversity and improve the microclimate.
Public terraces with glazed windbreaks have been created on the rooftops of the three buildings. On the Bleu and Rouge buildings, these serve as communal spaces, whilst the Bleu building also features a glass pavilion – a greenhouse designed for community gardening. Spaces designed in this way encourage residents to socialise, organise events and meet up on a daily basis. The ground floors of Indigo, Violet, Bleu, Vert and Jaune will house retail premises, which will benefit from the sunny, largely pedestrianised public spaces, ideal for creating outdoor dining areas.
The sustainable nature of the development
Nieuw Bergen was developed with the aim of reducing emissions and improving quality of life. The reuse of existing buildings has reduced the embodied carbon footprint, whilst energy-efficient systems, solar panels and green roofs lower operational emissions. The greenery incorporated – both at ground level and on the roofs – supports water retention, mitigates the urban heat island effect and improves residents’ wellbeing. The project demonstrates that a city centre can become denser without losing its character, architectural quality or social cohesion.
As Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV, emphasises, the aim was to create a place that would blend naturally into the fabric of one of Eindhoven’s most authentic neighbourhoods. The complex of buildings with a ‘mountainous’ silhouette adds new ‘bergen’to De Bergen, reinforcing the local identity and creating a space for life throughout the day.
design: MVRDV
photographs: Ossip van Duivenbode
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