HOLLAND CASINO
Holland Casino
Place:
Breda
Year:
2003
Project:
Restoration and Renovation of the Monumental Building 'Kloosterkazerne' in Breda for Holland Casino
From Nuns, Soldiers, and Croupiers
One of the largest casinos in Europe has been located in Breda since June, where Holland Casino moved to a new home in the monumental Kloosterkazerne. The interior design of the public spaces and non-public representative areas was created by M+R Interior Architecture. M+R developed a design that combines respect for the monument with the allure and luxurious atmosphere of a casino.
Description:
The building was founded around 1300 as a monastery and was expanded several times over the centuries. The original monastery church was replaced in 1502 by a double-church. The nuns left the monastery in the 16th century, after which the building housed, among other things, a prestigious school and residences. In 1814, the monastery was converted into a barracks, with floors added to the monastery church to create sleeping quarters for the soldiers. In 1975, the military left, and the building stood vacant for a time.
Layers of Time
M+R was selected from six firms by the client, Holland Casino, in collaboration with the architectural firm Kraaijvanger Urbis; Dirk Jan Postel, who was responsible for the restoration and renovation of the Kloosterkazerne. OMA designed the parking garage, which is connected to the new combined entrance of the casino and the nearby Chassé Theater, designed by Herman Hertzberger (built in 1995). During the restoration, Kraaijvanger Urbis kept the national heritage site and the new additions as separate as possible. M+R created an interior concept that aligns with this approach, maintaining respect for the monument, a beautiful building that feels almost untouchable. The concept is based on layers of time: the past (the spaces in the monument), the present (the central gaming hall), and the future (the gaming cellar for visitors under 40). The contrast between the monastery, barracks, and casino is also depicted.
The Kloosterkazerne has a U-shape, with the open side closed off by the Chassé Theater. Both the theater and casino now share a common entrance.
