COMMUNITY HOUSE

The challenge for our agency was how we can shape the house of the municipality of Loon op Zand. For each assignment, we first look for the identity of the users; the municipalities and their residents, or what is the DNA of the municipality of Loon op Zand. Together with the users, we have created a visual story of this identity through collages. What emerged clearly is the history of the municipalities of Kaatsheuvel, de Moer and Loon op Zand, mainly known for their crafts such as shoe and mat makers. And of course the Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, the Efteling arose from this artisanal history, first as a Sports and Walking Park and in 1949 the De Schoen Exhibition was organized here. Now Efteling is one of the largest and most leading amusement parks in the world. Outside the Efteling, the municipality of Loon on sand is known for its beautiful nature reserve De Loonse en Drunense Duinen. These are the defining elements that formed the basis for the design of the interior of the community center.

Upon entering the building, this is immediately visible in the choice of floor tiles, in a light sand color from the Loonse and Drunense Dunes, the floor is the connection to all the functions that the building houses, the municipality, the cultural institutions, the library, brasserie, etc. A beautiful sofa of more than 17 meters is made in different types of leather and several natural colors, with beautiful stitching seams. She represents the craft and nature that Loon op Zand is known for, the length symbolizes the connection and the road to the future, almost infinite... It is important for the users that the building exudes openness, is accessible and that everyone can easily find their way.

We have chosen a specific wall made up of wooden slats, this wall is the connection between the ground floor and the floors with the many public functions. This slatted wall also camouflages the many functionalities that the building needs on the ground floor, such as the wardrobes for the theater hall. The wooden wall finds its apotheosis in the Council Chamber where it gives the artwork from the 'old' town hall a new decor; the Wood Tintarsia from 1968 by artist Marius de Leeuw: The creative hand of God. After all, there is no present and future without a past.

The Council Chamber is a multifunctional room, not only for Council and Commission meetings, it is a beautiful room for weddings but also for presentations, lectures, etc. The three centers that together form the municipality of Loon op Zand are symbolized by the three round light fixtures on the ceiling. The meeting setup is in a round shape, so that every place is the same. To finish the inner ring, we opted for upholstered benches on a specially designed rug. People can meet here in a different way, but more importantly the family members can sit around the couple during the wedding ceremony, embracing them as if they were the bridal couple.

Together with the employees, we have opted for activity-related working, there are different types of workplaces suitable for collaboration, consultation and also for concentrated work. Everyone can work anywhere and anytime in a working environment that they find most suitable. There is a large living room with benches, where you can have a cup of coffee, discuss with colleagues or eat an apple. The color scheme and use of materials with natural colors fits seamlessly with the public spaces.

A dining-work café has been designed for lunch, the space can be used all day long, and outside lunch hours you can easily hold a meeting here.
This room is located next to the Council Chamber and by opening the large paneled wall you can use the large meeting room for receptions and presentations. For example, the building with the Council Chamber and these rooms can be used multifunctionally, in addition to several smaller and medium-sized meeting rooms that the building has.

The interior has a timeless, open, natural and peaceful appearance and offers space for meeting, relaxing, developing, working, culture, art, dance and so much more.