'Het Brouwhuis' of great significance for revival Roombeek district

After the fireworks disaster in Enschede in May 2000, it was not easy to decide which buildings should remain in the Roombeek district. Many buildings, although interesting, were not automatically suitable for new use. The Grolsch brewery 'Het Brouwhuis' was one of those buildings. This was due to the differences in floor height, the complex cross-section of the building and the heavy industrial facades. Grolsch actually wanted to demolish the building, but after the fireworks disaster it was decided to breathe new life into the building. Het Brouwhuis was to come into its own again as the centre and landmark within the new housing estate.

A contemporary building with historical characteristics

The objective of the transformation was to preserve Het Brouwhuis with its references to beer and the memory of the most important employer for North Enschede. The result is a building in which history has been visibly preserved. The characteristics of Het Brouwhuis are still visible, but at the same time, the building has undergone a complete transformation, having been turned into a modern and exciting residential block. From the start, the intention was to turn Het Brouwhuis into a living-working building. The programme of requirements therefore consisted of a combination of housing, creative industry and the hospitality industry. Due to time issues as well as the economic crisis, there has been a shift towards more housing and less business space.

Roombeek: innovative district

The result is that the building is part of a transformation of the neighbourhood. The Roombeek district has now turned from a deprived area to a dynamic new neighbourhood. Het Brouwhuis stands as an icon for the new life that has been breathed into the district. Through the combination of living and working, the district attracts new residents as well as trade and commerce. The preservation of the brewery has ensured that the surrounding buildings have also gained in importance. One could say it has become a case of living in and around the brewery. IAA Architecten has thus been involved in the most crucial interventions of the surroundings to preserve its identity and the building also gives identity to its surroundings.