18 Septemberplein Renovation, Eindhoven Building Project, Dutch Architecture Photos
18 Septemberplein Renovation in Eindhoven, Holland
3 Apr 2020
18 Septemberplein C&A Building
Architects: UNStudio
Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Europe
As part of Pan-European retail real estate investment manager Redevco?s redevelopment of the 9,000 sqm, four storey 18 Septemberplein C&A Building (a significant piece of protected post-war architecture), UNStudio was invited to restore and connect this historical building to its existing urban context.

Photos © Evabloem
Designed by Jan van der Laan and opened to the public with great fanfare in 1952, the C&A building was long held in high regard. However numerous alterations were made during its lifespan and the building is no longer considered dominant today. The modern addition of large, eye-catching entrances to underground bicycle parking facilities have also obstructed views to the building, with the result that it can no longer adequately express its identity, nor display a clear and recognisable storefront.
For this central refurbishment project, UNStudio therefore imagined a rebranding and a modernisation of the precinct. A cultural historical analysis of the building was carried out and design interventions were proposed based on the building?s historic values and the rhythm and ideas of the original architect. The philosophy of reducing material use to create lightweight structures formed the starting point...