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Sweat, Read, Snack, Relax


Huis van Eemnes

How do you combine the peaceful surroundings of a library with the dynamism of a sports and culture center under one roof? By designing an interior to bridge these two seeming extremes. How can you best close the functional gap? With open ears. The result is an unexpected third place for all tastes and states - from cultural or culinary to relaxed or active.

Client
Gemeente Eemnes

Location
Eemnes, NL

Partners
MARS Interieurarchitecten

Size
2.800 m²

Status
Realized

Why

Sports and culture move together

The extensive Huis van Eemnes has an important core function for the village. The profit and non-profit organizations in the house share more than just the entrance, which leads to attractive collaborations and programming. Huis van Eemnes is one of a kind due to the combination of two extremes: the peaceful surroundings of the Gooi en meer Library and the lively atmosphere of the sports and culture center. This combination required an interior that bridges these two apparent opposites.

"Huis van Eemnes is an accessible meeting place for all residents that combines unexpected functions."

Robert-Jan Vos
Director of Huis van Eemnes
How

Needs and wishes

Together with our client, we started the process and developed a vision in a workshop. This vision formed the foundation for the interior design. Cohesion between the different functions in Huis van Eemnes was achieved by emphasizing togetherness while carefully listening to the needs and wishes of the different residents of Eemnes. Our collective endeavor was to make feel all visitors at home, whether it is in the multifunctional theater, the brasserie, the sports hall, the ‘living room’ or the library. 

Meet, read and relax

An unexpected third place

Here you can borrow or read books, drink coffee, eat lunch or dinner, enjoy a show, have meetings, but also exercise and much more.

What

Vibrant heart

Upon entering, you are immediately in the vibrant heart of the cultural center. The pulse of these combined functions is made possible by a spatial mix of the library, brasserie and bar. These public entities are openly connected and surrounded by multifunctional rooms, including a theater hall and a large sports hall. A central, multipurpose grandstand staircase on top of a wooden stage breaks through the large, open entrance area, inviting visitors to venture upstairs.

The Gooi en meer Library collection is found throughout various places in Huis van Eemnes thanks to a bookcase that partially envelops the walls. The case stretches upwards and thus connects the spaces on the ground floor to the first floor. Overall a sophisticated mix of warm materials, seating groups of different sizes, and varying ceiling heights have created a space where you are sure to find a nook or area that suits you and your plans.

The dynamic range of sports, relaxation and culture emphasizes the versatility and liveliness of Huis van Eemnes. This spectrum of functions and activities also ensures that there is something to do at any time of the day.

Huis van Eemnes

More Impressions

  • The enormous cupboard wall, which also includes seating areas, is multifunctional.

  • In the library’s kids zone on the ground floor, children can explore books or the inside of a large teepee tent.

  • The stage alludes to an old gymnasium floor thanks to the graphic application of sports lines.

  • A large sports hall that can be divided into three rooms for events to take place

  • The bar, with contours of a house, is a striking eye-catcher thanks to its brightly colored top and a brick front. 

"By creating Huis van Eemnes, we’ve developed the hospitable library of the future together."

Marian Buvelôt
Director of Gooi en Meer Library

"We prioritized community spirit while attentively listening to the needs and wishes of Eemnes residents."

Aat Vos
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