The Willem II-passage is a new public space that connects the inner-city of Tilburg with a new development area. It runs straight through a railway workshop and links a new restaurant, a public terrace and a courtyard with the city. The passage portrays a cross section through the industrial past and future of the city.

The design of the underpass is based on its public significance and cultural durability. The materials, rhythm and composition of the passage refer to the brick architecture of the neighbouring street. The material is new and specifically developed.

In a process of prototyping, testing and tinkering we developed a refined but robust luminous façade with 30.000 handmade glazed ’bricks’. During the day, the walls are white-gray, its bricks massive. During the night, patterns appear. Technology is not leading; it does what its supposed to do, succeeding where outdated high-tech has failed.