Description

The closed competition for the Tilburg Trade Center (TTC) marks a crucial step in the transformation of the Spoorzone Tilburg, a former industrial site evolving into a vibrant urban district. Commissioned by Werkplaats Ontwikkelingsbedrijf B.V, a collaboration between the Municipality of Tilburg and VolkerWessels B.V, the brief called for a distinctive architectural ensemble on a prominent site at the new Burgemeester Stekelenburgplein, directly adjacent to Tilburg Central Station and the iconic LocHal.

The site connects the bustling station square with the LocHal, a cultural and social hub of the city housing a public library, co-working spaces, and cafés. Two separate volumes flank a newly designed passage that leads from the square to an intimate courtyard between the TTC and the LocHal. This passage acts as a public connector and also provides a side entrance to the LocHal, strengthening pedestrian flow and activating the space throughout the day. On the LocHal side, the building line is intentionally set back, preserving views toward the historic structure from the station square.

The volumes engage in a dialogue of form and rhythm. Together, they define an inviting concave facade along the square. The massing is composed in a stepped crescendo, rising toward the outer edges. The highest point is located at the northern end, marking the curve of the bajonet-shaped Burgemeester Brokxlaan, a key urban artery for the new district. The L-shaped cross-sections ensure that daylight continues to reach the LocHal, despite the increased urban density. The asymmetrical build-up and the consistent rhythm of facade setbacks give the ensemble a sculptural character. Together, the volumes resemble a kind of urban organ, theatrically framing the square, with a central visual axis pointing toward the LocHal.

The orientation and positioning of the volumes are also informed by the historic railway structure. The former tracks that once led to the LocHal, formerly used for locomotive construction, are echoed in the layout. Some of these tracks are preserved and integrated into the passage and courtyard, serving as subtle historical references to the site’s industrial heritage.

The program includes a mix of office spaces and residential units. The housing is concentrated in the northern tower, featuring generous south-facing terraces with views of the city. The lower volumes also include extensive rooftop terraces, planted with greenery to create a healthy urban microclimate. These green roofs not only enhance biodiversity but also provide social and environmental benefits. As such, the Tilburg Trade Center forms a powerful and sculptural edge to the new station square, while subtly and respectfully linking the area’s past to its future.