Kruithuis

's Hertogenbosch
Kruithuis
  • Culture
  • Transformation
  • Restoration
  • Sustainability
  • Advice

BiermanHenket has been intensively involved in the repurposing and restoration of the seventeenth-century Kruithuis in 's-Hertogenbosch since the beginning: first around the feasibility study, now with a careful, realistic and well-considered design. More than four hundred years after its original construction, the striking and nationally listed building is now facing a new future as a fortress and water museum.

The Kruithuis, the only gunpowder warehouse in the Netherlands that has been preserved from the Eighty Years' War, is an important national monument. The new fortress museum tells the story of the place, the Eighty Years' War and the siege of 's-Hertogenbosch in 1629. In addition, the water museum, under the auspices of UNESCO, examines four centuries of inundation around 's-Hertogenbosch and the location functions as a visitor center for the Zuiderwaterlinie. The new museum function is subtly fitted into the hexagonal building. The museum route therefore makes optimal use of the existing and virtually unchanged structure: the main entrance will remain in use as such, the ground floor and first floor offer a beautiful view of the courtyard and remain connected through the existing, historic spiral staircase. New additions, such as a transparent elevator as an extra connection between the two floors, are fitted in as contemporary and subtly as possible in the unique, historical context.

  • Design: 2016-now
  • Client: 's-Hertogenbosch, de Kring Vrienden van 's Hertogenbosch
  • Location: 's-Hertogenbosch
  • Delivery: fall 2023
1049
Kruithuis around 1900

The Kruithuis will not only gain a new perspective through the repurposing, but will also be future-proof in terms of sustainability. The building will be fitted with a sustainable air-conditioning system and the building envelope will be suitably insulated. All adjustments for this have been carefully designed with respect for the monument.

1160
Plan ground floor

'The building will not only be repurposed as a museum, but will also be made more sustainable: all adjustments for this have been carefully designed and with respect for the monument.'

1161
Section with view on the courtyard
2531
Front view