Art Academy

Coming years the former post office located in Den Bosch city centre will be transformed into a lively and creative living, working and learning area. This plan includes space for more than 800 homes, the AKV|St.Joost art academy, workspaces, creative companies, catering establishments and studios. 

For the new Art academy the former post office is stripped to the bare concrete structure. The quality of this raw space is kept in place as much as possible. For the façade we developed a multi-layered shell that is both functional and gives a beautiful dimmed natural light. The first layer of the façade is as functional as possible and optimized for regulations made by the Dutch government and building costs. The second layer gives the building character on the outside and creates diffused light on the inside. Similar to north oriented facades, this dimmed (natural) light is perfect for painting and other art forms.


Concept image of the refracted light quality or the artist studios

conceptmodel of the existing structures and vertical circulation

Client: SDK Vastgoed - AKV St. Joost
Project:  Art academy
Location: Den Bosch, Netherlands
Program: Art school, Bar/Cafe, workshop
Size: 11.000 m2
Status: Concept design (2023)
Collaboration : Antoine van Erp (Mattermakers) for Studioninedots

Façade concept = Existing structure + simple glazing + light diffuser layer

"Inside the building an internal street is realized. Though this street the public is welcome on exhibition days. This way all art students can practice showcasing their work to bigger audiences and in particular to the residents living around the building. For the residents their is a café next to the exhibition space which will function as a social hub for the neighborhood." 

concept image of the internal street

concept image corner of the building