Role in team
Technical Designer
Architectural firm
De Unie Architecten
© Olaf Janson
The goal of the new design is to make the Provinciehuis a more natural part of the city, with an inviting and recognizable face to the street. The entrance of the Provinciehuis in Groningen has been completely renewed. The transparency of the entrance and the furnished anteroom create a gradual transition between the public space and the building. The new entrance provides a modest and approachable connection between the street and the large-scale building and offers a clear, unambiguous connection between the outside and internal routing.
The wide, transparent colonnade entrance
The renewed entrance has a broad, transparent colonnade entrance that provides a view of the new courtyard designed by LAOS Landscape Architects. The colonnade is designed to connect to the column gallery of the former national archive further down the Sint Jansstraat. The colonnade has the same size, rhythm, and proportions as the column gallery. The view of the new courtyard is a lively eye-catcher that contributes to the presence of the Provinciehuis in the city.
© Olaf Janson
Renewed routing
The new entrance not only provides a clear and unambiguous connection between the outside world and the internal routing of the Provinciehuis, but also makes the internal routing itself more logical. This makes the building easier to navigate for both employees and visitors, making the Provinciehuis more accessible to the public.
Connection to the public space
The new entrance square of the Provinciehuis matches in terms of material and scale with the renovated Sint Jansstraat. Seating elements ensure that the square is experienced as a public space. The square invites people to sit and enjoy the surroundings, making the Provinciehuis more involved in the city and the public space.
© Olaf Janson
© Egbert de Boer
© Olaf Janson
Green Courtyard
The new entrance is equipped with a green courtyard that is visible day and night and contributes to the presence of the Provinciehuis in the city. Through the transparent entrance, the enclosed courtyard with special plants is visible. This garden can be reached by visitors and employees during the day via the colonnade. At night, the courtyard is closed, but is illuminated behind the glass entrance. Thus, the courtyard forms a lively eye-catcher day and night that contributes to the presence of the Provinciehuis in the city.
