Within the Netherlands, De Zwarte Hond was commissioned by actual property developer MWPO to create a central constructing for a neighborhood that will function a grocery retailer in addition to a neighborhood assembly place. SuperHub Meerstad was opened in November 2022 with hopes to attach the Groningen district. The ensuing constructing contains a beautiful glass facade with a hovering timber overhang and a welcoming place for get-togethers.
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Meerstad is a rising district of Groningen that’s identified for open area, greenery and a leisure lake referred to as Woldmeer. Across the lake, a neighborhood with 5,000 new houses can be constructed within the subsequent few a long time. The designers of the Superhub Meerstad needed to create a grocery retailer and neighborhood heart to serve this new neighborhood. High quality of life and sustainability knowledgeable the design of this neighborhood heart.
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The concept was to create a contemporary market corridor. Moreover, SuperHub is open and clear to make it extra welcoming. Helps for the construction had been manufactured from cross-shaped laminated wood columns and beams. The impact is sort of a live performance corridor or cathedral, with hovering arches constituted of timber columns assembly in a excessive ceiling of twenty-nine ft (9 meters).

Moreover, this massive area was supposed to be versatile for different makes use of sooner or later. The big overhang extends sixteen ft (5 meters) exterior, sheltering the home windows from the solar. In the meantime, cross kinds provide further stability for the constructing to keep away from further wind-bracing infrastructure. Timber additionally reduces the local weather impression of the construction over cement and different constructing supplies whereas creating a hotter area.

SuperHub comprises groceries and a cafe. Nevertheless, it may very well be transformed right into a museum, neighborhood heart, and even residential housing. The designers say this flexibility was intentional to ensure the constructing wouldn’t be torn down and create further waste sooner or later. They name it future-proofing the neighborhood hub that may develop with Meerstad.

The roof of the SuperHub has area for photo voltaic panels and plantings that may improve biodiversity. In flip, it’s going to create houses for pollinators. Constructed-in air therapy programs and warmth and chilly floor storage cut back vitality use whereas balancing the indoor local weather. The constructing was additionally constructed to face up to earthquakes widespread to the area. Subsequently, it’d serve an extra goal sooner or later as a neighborhood useful resource heart within the occasion of a pure catastrophe.
The shop inside the SuperHub was created as a pleasing place to buy and meet with associates to create an interesting various to grocery supply. Because the neighborhood grows, time will inform how the SuperHub evolves to fulfill the wants of the neighborhood, however it’s actually designed to take action.
Photographs by way of De Zwarte Hond