The municipality of Groningen, the northern part of the Netherlands, faces a challenge to connect the old town with the central station and the districts around it. The project focuses on the Cascade complex – the largest multi-tenant government building, once envisaged as an imposing city wall. The site is perceived as two disjointed islands as it is located between a canal and a viaduct to the sides, and bordered by a vehicle road to the north, and a railroad to the south.

The proposal is investigating ways of connecting the islands, as well as accommodating the existing. To ensure a lively circulation – connections must be created, thus the complex is cut into segments to allow new passageways to appear, linking the Island to the West and the South through a new bridge. In addition, buildings blocking daylight are lowered providing natural daylight to the inner courtyards. Eastern volumes are removed to create a visual and physical connection and space for gathering. Distinctive extensions are introduced together with three new buildings to establish clear borderlines and functions.

The project prioritise the improvement of the existing buildings. In this way, we try to address the climatic and ecological emergencies, as well as social urgencies, particularly in the realm of urban housing.

Type: mixed-use

Area: 41 500 m²

Year: 2022

Location: Groningen, the Netherlands

Team: Rokas Jonušas, Gabrielius Dovydėnas, Ieva Julija Bagdonaitė