For the Smalle Haven area in Eindhoven, the master plan of Jo Coenen also includes the Municipal Office of Employment, Health Care & Income (WZI). WZI Eindhoven is a modern building designed by Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur and completed in 2003 with 9.400 m² in size. The exterior of this building is robust and simple with a vertical bond brick facade.
Design
The exterior of this building matches well with the plan’s diversity, connecting the various components structurally and visually. A ‘city room’ is the heart of the building with a partly roofed outdoor space that serves as the entrance vestibule. There is also an arcade that connects all of the adjacent buildings.
Structure
The city room, city garden, and entrance have transparent facades. The building vertical windows from the floor to ceiling in the cockpits to the back can emphasize the vertical appearance. These windows also give a rhythm to the building facade.
The windows are designed with stainless steel frames to add more transparency and light to the building facade. This building doesn’t look uniform from the outside but it does on the inside particularly, especially on its rooms and interior designs.
Interior
After a concept that focuses on flexibility and transparency, the interior of the building also includes an open-plan office that was new at the time. This interior is designed around atria to improve the building orientation and also connect departments and floors.
WZI Eindhoven Gallery
Photography: Jeanne Dekkers Architectuur