BRANDVRIES | architectuur collectief designed a small cafe and shop to enhance and enliven the entrance square of Kampeerterrein Stortemelk (Camping Site Stortemelk). Together with De Bolder (a multifunctional building for guests), the new intervention becomes the heart of the site, connecting the forest and the dune area of the campsite.
A large canopy covers the entrance to the cafe and shop. The large canopy is a well-known historic feature of Stortemelk. De Bolder originally had a large canopy, which disappeared over the years due to numerous renovations.
The canopy is an essential feature of the design. The canopy enhances the public function of the building and invites visitors to stroll and meet on the square. Reintroducing the canopy was also a practical design decision as it protects the entrance of the shops from various harsh weather conditions in Friesland. Once the next phases of the project, which include the reception, offices, and the renovation of the Bolder, are complete, a beautiful canopy landscape will mark the public functions around the entrance square.
BRANDVRIES was also responsible for the interior design. An important design element is the continuation of wooden cladding on the bottom of the canopy into the interior of the café. The wooden cladding and large glass fronts ensure that the inside and outside merge seamlessly. BRANDVRIES also had the opportunity to design a custom bar that was built by local carpenter Ziltgetint.
The camping store's roof construction consists of one-meter-high laminated wooden beams with steel bracings in between. This roof construction system allows a free span of 20 meters across the store. A clerestory was introduced between the laminated beams to allow sunlight to filter into the shop. This approach created a pleasant and compact supermarket whilst providing the necessary daylight.
The small cafe is the first thing you will encounter when you enter the campsite. Consequently, the cafe is an essential function that supplements the public functions in the square. The cafe has now become an important meeting point for camping guests. Outside the high season, the coffee shop is also used as a small bar when De Bolder is closed. In the future, Stortemelk will also expand the cafe to include the sale of some 'essentials' camping gear while the store is closed.
Although the functions of the buildings are more practical, BRANDVRIES deliberately introduced the canopy to simultaneously activate the entrance square and restore a part of the historic identity of Kampeerterrein Stortemelk.
