A second chance for the KPN telephone exchange building

Knevel Architecten is working on the transformation of a telephone exchange building of KPN for Projectvennootschap Noord Holland B.V and on redevelopments of several existing buildings at the Nieuwstraat. Together these developments will result in an attractive urban residential environment existing of 40 apartments with 2 to 3 bedrooms. 

The KPN building is in an attractive area in the city centre near the train station. The building is being used as a telephone exchange building, but it will soon be facilitating different functions. The commercial function of ground floor will be maintained, and residential functions will be added. 

An opportunity has arisen to create a common green courtyard from the areas behind the buildings, by combining the transformation and the redevelopment of several existing buildings. The courtyard will be accessible from the Breestraat and the Nieuwstraat. 

The apartments along the Breestraat will get the appearance of a loft, which will be partly realised by maintaining the existing concrete structure of the KPN building. And an appearance emphasizing the scale of separate sections of the building along the Nieuwstraat will be introduced.