The characteristic Huize Liesbosch is located just within the boundaries of the Municipality of Breda on Liesboslaan and the A58 towards Etten-Leur. The building has a remarkable history and consists of a succession of building volumes that originated in different periods between 1830 and 1971. All renovations carried out since 2011 during the phased demolition and new-build development have connections with this past.
The past and present meet
The existing building complex is characterised by a U-shaped building mass that came into being during different construction periods. As a result, there are various contemporary architectural styles, with the high architectural-historical values mainly found at the front of the building. The building volumes are bordered on the east and south sides by green woodland areas.
In the first phase of the redevelopment, a new care centre for Thebe was realised on the site of the original recreation hall and mortuary. Through the developed building structure and facade design, maximum consideration was given to environmental aspects and the context of the location. Therefore, masonry in a light yellow tint was chosen, a completely white facade on the south side, and vertical wooden elements were applied on the upper floors of the north facade, accentuating the openings.
Parallel to this process, care apartments for the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St Joseph were realised in the existing east wing. These sisters had devoted themselves in the preceding years to the care of elderly congregation members in Huize Liesbosch. At the rear of the existing building, a new recreation hall has been provided overlooking the existing cloister garden and the southern woodland area.
In the final phase of this redevelopment, the west wing will be fully renovated, in which regular apartments will be realised.
A rich history
The remarkable history of Huize Liesbosch dates back to 1830 and has had various functions over those years. The original townhouse became the renowned family hotel Huis ten Bosch in 1879. In 1904, the building came into the ownership of the Benedictine Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and a wing with a rectory was added to the existing building. After some time, the monastery was occupied by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the building was extended with another wing in 1921.
Due to the continuing increase in the group of Brothers, the original main building had to make way for a new building provided with an additional storey. After the building was purchased in 1971 by the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St Joseph, the complex was extended with an extra storey, two lifts, and a recreation room.
Realisation
