Parallel to the railway line, on the former site of the Drie Hoefijzers brewery in Breda, lies a new residential development. On the location where beer was once brewed, the connection is now being established to the Linie-Doornbos neighbourhood. The urban plan, designed by Diederendirrix Architecture & Urbanism, incorporates a mix of dwelling typologies in distinctly different forms. To maximise this diversity, the client chose to work with five architectural practices. We have designed a total of 14 dwellings in four typologies.
Railway as unifying elementÂ
The residential area was realised on a former industrial site directly alongside the tracks. The 14 scattered dwellings across the development evoke the image of linked railway carriages. This reference is worked out in the material and colour palette of the dwellings. The brick colour scheme is matched to the copper tones. The same brick colour has been used for all dwellings, in varying formats and laying patterns. Each type connects with its surroundings in its own distinctive way.
Copper bay windows and soundproofing measures
The facade facing the railway, in thick-format masonry in stretcher bond, is combined with copper-coloured bay windows to reinforce the railway reference. Behind the bay windows lie the required soundproofing installations.
Tile pattern creates balanced composition
The facade masonry along Stationslaan is executed in a tile pattern, where only stretchers and headers can be used. The facade openings are positioned within the grid of the brickwork, creating a balanced composition.