The House of Culture and Administration, a new civic complex designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects in collaboration with Snøhetta, is gradually taking shape in the Dutch city of Delfzijl. Located at Molenbergplein, the project brings together cultural and administrative functions in a unified architectural gesture that aims to strengthen the urban fabric of Eemsdelta. The current visualization marks a step forward in the structural design phase. Technical and financial refinements will continue over the summer, with final approval from the municipal council expected in October 2025.
Emerging from a twelve-week collaborative design process, the building integrates a theater, a library, and a city hall under one roof. The volume is shaped to respond to both its civic role and its urban context: a gently curving facade embraces the plaza, while the opposite side aligns with the existing street pattern. The roofline introduces a dynamic rhythm, forming a sculptural silhouette that establishes a new visual anchor for the area. According to Saartje van der Made, architect and partner at Benthem Crouwel Architects, the design seeks to be "a natural part of Delfzijl, rooted in the landscape and community of Eemsdelta," with a form that is at once expressive and grounded in place.
The building is conceived as a shared space that extends beyond its programmatic components. Its central atrium, which will also house the library, is envisioned as an open, connective space for reading, working, and gathering. This public interior reflects the project's broader ambition: to serve as a civic living room that accommodates both daily activities and larger-scale regional events, including conferences and public meetings.
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Snøhetta and Hassell’s Harbourside Redevelopment Moves Forward with Public Domain Approval in SydneyOur most important goal has always been to design a building together - a building that works for everyone - for the people who work there daily and for visitors. We approached this with care, listening and working closely with our core team, cultural partners, and the community throughout the entire process. - Kathleen Cayetano, senior architect and project leader at Snøhetta
Throughout the design phase, input from a wide group of stakeholders, including local residents, youth groups, municipal staff, and cultural organizations, has played a key role in shaping the project. The House of Culture and Administration is also positioned as part of a larger effort to revitalize Delfzijl's city center. The redevelopment of Molenbergplein and nearby Damsterkade complements earlier urban improvements such as the city beach, boulevard, and Vennenplein. With these latest interventions, the municipality aims to address vacant buildings and reinforcements while restoring identity and vibrancy to the area.
The project in Delfzijl, Netherlands, joins a broader series of recent developments that reflect evolving approaches to public space, urban transformation, and cultural engagement. MVRDV has unveiled its strategic plan for the densification of Roosendaal, aiming to balance growth with livability through green public corridors and mixed-use density in the Netherlands, and in Sydney, Snøhetta and Hassell's Harbourside redevelopment has moved forward with public domain approval, emphasizing accessible waterfront design and civic integration.
