Three distinctive L-shaped buildings have been completed in Breda, Netherlands, marking the final phase of a major urban transformation project near the city's main railway station. The mixed-use development, designed jointly by Rotterdam-based architectural firms Powerhouse Company and Shift architecture urbanism, represents an innovative approach to sustainable construction and urban planning in the southern Dutch city of approximately 190,000 residents.
The three open building blocks, each featuring different colored brick facades, function both as individual structures and as a cohesive ensemble. Strategically positioned on the northwestern corner of the former railway grounds, the buildings have been thoughtfully oriented to turn their sharp, closed corners toward the railway line while opening their accessible sides toward the city center, though separated by a wide northern street. This arrangement allows the three structures to maintain their own identity along the railway corridor while forming a unified complex.
The architects have aptly nicknamed the buildings "Platform A, B, and C," reflecting their railway heritage and functional design. Each structure features its own distinct color palette that defines both the varied brick facades and the interior design of the large foyers, which were created in collaboration with Dutch Invertuals from Eindhoven. These foyers showcase large vertical glass windows facing the street, clearly marking the entrances to each building and serving as welcoming gateways to the mixed-use spaces within.
Platform A houses a hotel complete with a bistro, restaurant, and conference center, catering to both business and leisure travelers. Platforms B and C contain approximately 15,700 square meters of office space alongside 168 residential units, creating a vibrant live-work environment. The foyers in these buildings serve as shared access points for both residents and office workers, designed as "urban living rooms" that foster community interaction and provide transitional spaces between the public street and private interiors.
A key feature of the development is the elevated garden that sits at railway track level, accessible via broad outdoor staircases between the buildings. This public green space provides a peaceful retreat above the urban bustle while connecting the three structures both physically and conceptually. The design creates multiple levels of interaction, from street-level activity to the serene elevated garden space.
The project demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainability through its exclusive use of recycled brick strips in all facade construction. These materials are sourced from a Dutch manufacturer that rescues bricks from construction debris and cuts them into narrow strips. The facades in Breda showcase both the smooth exterior sides and the rough-cut surfaces of these recycled strips, creating varied reflections and textures that give each building its unique character while maintaining visual harmony across the complex.
According to the architectural firms, this innovative approach to material reuse resulted in the recycling of approximately 385,000 tons of construction waste. This massive diversion of materials from landfills represents a significant environmental achievement and demonstrates how creative architectural solutions can address both aesthetic and sustainability goals simultaneously. The project serves as a model for future developments seeking to minimize environmental impact while creating distinctive, functional urban spaces.
