On the southern edge of Leeuwarden, the Huis aan de Haven residential building
has been completed. Designed by Powerhouse Company for MWPO and built by
Reitsma Bouw, it serves as a striking landmark in Middelsee, the newest urban
development in the city. Surrounded by water and greenery, the area offers an
authentic northern Dutch atmosphere. With its modern appearance and strategic
location, the apartment complex presents a contemporary interpretation of the
region’s maritime identity.

A contemporary interpretation of a dockside building
The materials used align seamlessly with Middelsee’s design quality framework,
and specifically that of Havenstad – the northern part of Middelsee, where the
marina is a central feature. Huis aan de Haven is designed as a 21st-century
interpretation of the traditional dockside building. The combination of the brick
volume with elegant materials such as powder-coated steel and anodized
aluminum creates a metropolitan harbor aesthetic, inspired by a historic port city
but realized in a modern form. Generous window openings, deep reveals, and a
rhythmic façade give the building a strong architectural identity that feels both
contemporary and connected to its surroundings. Positioned at the entrance to
the new district, it serves as a gateway and a nod to the site’s historical roots.

‘By using brick, steel and aluminum we struck a balance between robustness and refinement, allowing the building to reflect the maritime identity of the site in a contemporary way.’

 Stefan Prins, Partner Architect at Powerhouse Company

Waterfront living, embraced by nature
Huis aan de Haven comprises 90 residences, ranging from city apartments and
duplex houses with workspaces to penthouses with large rooftop gardens. The
building’s design encourages social interaction among residents, whether it’s a
quick coffee in the waterside café or a relaxing moment in the shared courtyard.
The outdoor spaces, designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design, emphasize the
strong connection between interior and exterior that is central to the overall
design. The shared courtyard atop the parking garage creates a peaceful oasis.
Crowning the building, the penthouses feature spacious, terraced rooftops that rise in a green, stepped formation, providing views of the water, the cityscape,
and the inner garden.

Outdoor space has also been thoughtfully integrated at the rear, where groundfloor apartments feature a traditional Frisian 'overtuin' – a front garden uniquely
positioned across the street from the home. In this way, Huis aan de Haven
provides residents with access to both private and shared outdoor areas, while
the landscape connects the building to its surroundings in a natural and organic
way.

‘Folding glass doors connect the penthouses with their terraces, making outdoor living an extension of the interior.’

Stefan de Meijer, Engineering Project Leader at Powerhouse Company

Set on the waterfront of Leeuwarden’s new Middelsee district, Huis aan de Haven offers a contemporary take on dockside architecture. Designed by Powerhouse Company, the building’s expressive shape and layered composition reference the silhouettes of moored ships, with materials chosen to strengthen that narrative.

The facade pairs robust brickwork with finely detailed metal elements, including anodized aluminium in AluGreen mat etched. This deep, earthy green finish was selected to echo the natural tones of the surrounding water and landscape, offering a subtle contrast to the masonry while adding texture and variation under changing light.

The stepped massing opens up to the canal, allowing for rooftop gardens and generous outdoor spaces. From street level to the upper terraces, the anodized elements bring cohesion and refinement, framing windows and balconies with precision.

With its durable materials, thoughtful detailing, and strong connection to place, Huis aan de Haven defines a new architectural anchor for Middelsee, grounded in its maritime past, built for modern city life.