Taets: Modern centre with monumental appearance

Zaanse Hembrug: a transformed industrial icon

The Zaanse Hembrug area boasts a modern centre that exudes a monumental and grand aesthetic. What was once an ammunition factory, steeped in the industrial heritage of the area, has been ingeniously transformed into Taets Art and Event Park, an art gallery and conference centre of international repute. With meticulous attention to preserving the historic value of the building, Liong Lie architects have successfully modernized it into a vibrant hub.

Modern meeting rooms for up to 500 attendees

The meeting rooms within the centre are designed to cater to presentations and gatherings of up to 500 people. These rooms are equipped with LCD-displays, comfortable seating, and a remote-controlled air conditioning system, ensuring a comfortable and technologically advanced environment for all attendees.

Blending modern and historic charm

To seamlessly blend the modern layout with the building's monumental charm, the architects have designed the new meeting rooms as sleek, white abstract boxes that do not interfere with the distinct V-shaped roof, allowing the original metal truss construction to remain visible. The walls of these meeting rooms seemingly float from the ground, thanks to the clever use of LED lighting, giving the space an enchanting and avant-garde ambiance. In order to accommodate the necessary air conditioning and heating installations, the exterior walls have been extended by 30 cm while still respecting the building's historic integrity.

Preserving timeless beauty and industrial heritage

The existing slender metal windows, cherished for their classical allure, have now been framed with wooden accents to emphasize their timeless beauty. The meeting room positioned at the heart of the centre is a striking oval space adorned with copper cladding, paying homage to the building's former purpose as a factory. Furthermore, the original roof and steel windows have been revitalized with fresh paint, and new inner walls have been installed to provide a polished and contemporary aesthetic throughout the space.

Location Amsterdam - Zaanstad, The Netherlands

Client Jaarbeurs Utrecht, Verhaaf Party Catering

Year 2009

Status Completed

Program Hospitality - 1 Conference room (capacity 40 people), 7 Meeting rooms (capacity 10-25 people) 

Team Roeland de Jong, Berry van Empel, Floor Theuns, Jerzy Wozniak, Pawel Garus, Raphael Floris

Photography Christiaan de Bruijne