High Park
Sebastian van Damme
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
Curtain Wall & FramesKawneer
RT 72 Reflex, AA100Q, RT 62 Reflex
Aluminium CladdingAldowa
Balcony SlabsHI-CON
Glass railingsRenovum
Facade Sto Corp.
FacadeStucco

Product Spec Sheet
Curtain Wall & Frames
RT 72 Reflex, AA100Q, RT 62 Reflex by Kawneer
Aluminium Cladding
by Aldowa
Balcony Slabs
by HI-CON
Glass railings
by Renovum
Facade
Facade
by Stucco

High Park

Powerhouse Company as Architects

For many years, the historic Kruisgebouw stood vacant until PowerhouseCompany revitalised the former office building into a dynamic residential and work complex. High Park represents a unique and entirely gas-free transformation from a single-purpose office building into high-quality apartments offering stunning views over the city of Arnhem. The removal of the ancillary buildings highlights the beautiful brutalist architecture by Van den Broek en Bakema.

Situated on the edge of the Klarendal District in Arnhem, the building was originally constructed for GIRO and is a significant part of Dutch architectural history. Van den Broek en Bakema’s work is considered top-tier within this history. The GIRO building is particularly important due to its scale and complex organisation. Designed as a machine for large-scale data processing in the paper era, the original architects ingeniously utilised the natural terrain height differences to integrate various functions seamlessly. Powerhouse Company continued the design philosophy of Van den Broek en Bakema, ensuring the building is easily adaptable to the future—and now, it is.

photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme

Generous Gesture
When stripping down the building, its brutalist beauty was revealed. By elevating the volume, space for a public park was created, serving both residents and the surrounding area. The grand columns at the entrance align with brutalist architecture. The parking garage is discreetly located under the office buildings to the east, while the 80-metre-tall Kruisgebouw is elevated above ground level, creating space for greenery, logistics, and communal areas.

photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme

Dutch Heritage
The transformation breathes new life into the complex, which was once perceived as drab and inaccessible, now open and inviting. Powerhouse Company carefully preserved and enhanced the valuable qualities of Van den Broek en Bakema’s design to improve accessibility. By removing the lower west and north buildings, a green park can flow seamlessly under the main building. This enhances the prominence of the main building’s shape and makes it a connecting element in the area, rather than an obstacle. Consequently, the building now adds significant value to the living comfort of Arnhem’s residents.

photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme

Team:

Architects: Powerhouse Company International

Design team: Paul Stavert (Partner in charge), Dik Houben, Mitchel Veloo, Dirk Jan Schaap, Máté Molnár, Anouk Bras, Alexandra Waluda, Sven Jansse

Landscape architect: Veenenbos en Bosch landschapsarchitecten

Contractor:Klok Groep

Constructor: Zonneveld ingenieurs

Installations Advisor: Van Losser

Photographer: Sebastian van Damme

photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme

Materials Used:

Curtain wall: Kawneer AA100Q, 
Frames: Kawneer RT62 / RT72 reflex
Aluminum cladding: Aldowa
Balcony slab: Hi-Con
Glass railings: Renovum
Skylight: LicoTec
Facade: Stucco, STO, Isovision

photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
photo_credit Sebastian van Damme
Sebastian van Damme
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