Lelycentre Cultural Centre

Abstract

Lelystad's first commercial area, Lelycentre, was originally intended to be the starting point of the planned city centre in the first phase in 1964, emphasising the connection to the fourth planned polder of the Zuiderzeewerken. Markermeerpolder's rejection in the 80's meant that the decision was made to develop the city centre elsewhere causing Lelycentre lose its intended position. Today Lelycentre shopping centre, which once resembled Rotterdam’s Lijnbaan, serves the local communities with a quiet but healthy bustle of activity. However the majority of surrounding office buildings have gone through a series of changes in use over the last 40-50 years and are now vacant. One such building is the former police station, which the police vacated in 2018 in favour of a more central city location. The police station is integrated into Lelycentre's characteristic elevated infrastructure and boasts a unique and recognisable façade. It is positioned as the southern gateway into Lelycentre. In a masterplan wherein much of the existing vacancy is filled with housing, this work explores a situation where the former police station a.k.a. ZIJP gebouw is transformed into a cultural centre for new and existing residents. The main challenges are establishing a balance between the architectural qualities of the existing office building whilst introducing transparency, openness, accessibility in direct contrast to the existing monumentality and sense of anonymity. Preserving and revitalising the elevated infrastructure is key, whilst creating a new relationship with the transformed ground level. The final point is to design sustainably and introduce passive design concepts.