Parkeergarages Stadshuis en Theater Nieuwegein

The center of Nieuwegein undergoes a substantial urban transformation until 2017. The development program for the new city center comprises of about 56.000 m2 new retail space, 198 residential units, offices, a new city hall (by 3xn architects), a new city theater and arts center (Architecten Cie) and the renovated Cityplaza. With a total of 1.200 parking spaces several parking garages accommodate this program. Not only due to the large amount of parking spaces do the parking garages play a major role in the transformation. They will also form the new gateways to the inner city.

The first phase of the transformation started in early 2009 and includes among others the new underground garage of 20.000 m2 with 650 parking spaces beneath the city hall, the theater, the main square and the city balcony. Additionally, KCAP has designed the house style and interior concept of the nine new and renovated parking garages in the city center. The interior concept contains the choice of colours for the floors and walls, a concept for light walls, signage and routing. The wayfinding, designed in cooperation with Mijksenaar, is enriched with light and sound installations.

The garage is spatially characterized by its clear layout with an efficient column grid of 8x8 meters and a logical routing that can be automatically followed. From a tree-lined driveway in, an immediate overview over the lower parking floor allows for good overview over free parking spaces.

Lit art walls mark the pedestrian exits of the parking garage and serve as points of orientation. The yellow light walls, designed by Polish artist Jaroslaw Flicinski, are combined with a sound installation by artist Spinvis (Erik de Jong) which contains more than 40 natural sounds spread over five zones.

The integral design approach allows the parking garages of Nieuwegein to become more than mere functional and efficient spaces. The application of the overall house style and routing concept and the added light and sound art create above all a friendly and safe parking environment.

The project includes the construction of a new theatre, commercial spaces and a car park in Nieuwegein. The Municipality of Nieuwegein is working on a new and modern city centre. The new city centre would not be complete without mass public attractions like a new theatre and a commercial ground floor. To ensure that all these new functions are easily achievable, the entire new building includes a car park which will be both above and below ground.

Züblin Nederland BV was responsible for lot 1: construction work including overall coordination and lot 2: completion of theatre and car park. The project consists of 4 large sections: - DE KOM, city theatre and arts centre with a gross floor area of approximately 9,500 m²: a theatre tower, a foyer, a large hall with approximately 650 seats, a small hall with approximately 200 seats and a number of teaching rooms (music and dance), a theatre café and office spaces - Commercial ground floor with a gross floor area of approximately 1,400 m² - Car park with 1,050 spaces: partly above ground (18,000 m²) and partly below ground (13,000 m²).