DATA SHEET
Client: MWPO
Architect: Powerhouse Company
Landscape architect: LAP Landscape & Urban Design
Contractor: Reitsma Bouw
Structural engineer: BREED Integrated Design
Building physics and fire safety: Wolf Dikken adviseurs
Photos: Sebastian van Damme
Located in the northern Netherlands, Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland. The city recently developed the new Middelsee district in its southern part, which overlooks the Van Harinxmakanaal and boasts a marina as its main attraction. Indeed, the Huis aan de Haven residential complex, just completed by Rotterdam-based Powerhouse Company – founded in 2005 with offices in Oslo, Munich and Nairobi – is also situated right on the water.
«From majestic residences that seamlessly blend with natural environments to sustainable mixed-use complexes that redefine urban landscapes, we meticulously craft balanced projects, grounded in thorough contextual research», states founder Nanne de Ru. «Designing without succumbing to fleeting trends is a powerful form of sustainability: it creates lasting value beyond passing fads and stands the test of time».
While the presence of water and greenery in the project area evokes the authentic atmosphere of the northern Netherlands, the choice of a modern design inspired by traditional port architecture allows the complex to offer a contemporary interpretation of the region’s maritime identity. «The materials used seamlessly integrate into the Middelsee context», explains designer Stefan Prins. «The combination of brick volume with elegant materials such as powder-coated steel and anodized aluminum creates a metropolitan harbor aesthetic, yet one inspired by historical port architecture.
Generous openings, deep reveals, and a rhythm-based facade give the building a strong identity rooted in a balance between robustness and refinement. This allows it to serve simultaneously as a gateway to the neighborhood and a tribute to its roots». The complex comprises 90 residential units, including urban apartments, duplexes featuring workspaces, and penthouses with expansive roof gardens.
Green spaces, indeed, represent another central element of the project, meticulously designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design to emphasize the strong connection between interior and exterior. The heart of the complex is the communal courtyard above the parking area, conceived as an oasis for relaxation and a space for resident interaction. The penthouses feature spacious terraced roofs that create a lush, stepped structure overlooking the water, the urban landscape, and the internal garden. On the ground floor, residences boast the “overtuin”, a typical Frisian tradition, which is a private garden located at the front of the dwelling.
