Responsive image
year | 2007
place | Maastricht
category | wonen
92PC
As one of the last urban blocks to be realized in the ‘Ceramique – Area’ of Maastricht the scheme does not opt for the here common solution of the closed perimeter block, but employs a spatial strategy in which urban space is opened up. Through strategically placing three volumes, it not only makes the public space flow though the site, but it also involves the triangular green area to its east into this interlinking of urban spaces.

The program to be housed within the block was that of an integrated form of dwelling and working. Initially (within the competition) it started with 80 apartments combined with 80 work units, partly integrated within the living units and partly separated from them. During the further development of the project’s design (in close contact with the client) it became clear that, within the same volume, the integration of an extra multifunctional space cum service centre, might be needed. No problem since the basic architectural concept of the project, in terms of structure and infra-structure, allowed a large degree of flexibility while remaining within the limits of the buildings envelop. This flexibility the client exploited to the maximum, meaning that the functional layout of the project went through several stages. At the start of its construction on site the project as designed contained 107 apartments, 35 of them with integrated work units, a service centre and 7 separate offices. After the structure reached its highest point in construction the client changed his mind again about the numbers of apartments, work units, home offices and commercial spaces, which resulted in the present project with its 92 apartments, 27 with home offices, a commercial space and 7 individual work units.

In terms of home office typology the project tries to revive the 19th century type of mansion-annex practice usually inhabited by lawyers, doctors, architects etc. Characteristic for this type of integrated house-and-practice was the separation of entrances, leading to the public practice and the private house. Thus, one of the themes informing the design of these integrated home office apartments is the double entry and the psychological split (eventually even a split in level) between the more private space of the family and for living, and the more public space for working and receiving clients. Another result of the synergy of integrating dwelling and working within the same block is the possibility to create a more spacious entry-hall than the one usually possible in a Dutch housing project. In this case it is a glassed atrium that acts as a sort of public lobby for both the apartments and the workspaces.
The choice of construction was also an uncommon one for a housing project. Normally the floors span from apartment to apartment, however, to keep the subdivision of the integrated apartments as flexible as possible, the floors in this project span from the outer façade to an inner ring of service spaces, which concentrates all infrastructure.

Design - Realization: 2001 - 2007, Competition 1st prize
Address: Boschcour, Maastricht
Client: Vesteda Project BV, Maastricht
Projectteam: Jo Janssen, Prof. Ir Wim van den Bergh, Simon Zumstein, Jeroen van Haaren
Guido Neijnens, Bart Creugers, Rik Martens, Inge Clauwers, Corinne Simon, Harm Saanen, Eckehart Esters, Julia David, Verena Bick Rob Janssen, Anilu Léon Sanchez

Publications:
  • Piazza Céramique -Jo Janssen Architecten, Vesteda Architectuur 7, ISBN 978 9077059 081
  • De Architect 04-2007: ‘Wonen, werken en tektonische cultuur – Piazza Céramique in Maastricht’, pag. 56 -61
  • Arquitectura Viva nr. 116 - Piazza Céramique ‘Cuadrado al cubo - Viviendas en Maastricht, Holanda’, pag. 56-59
  • Baumeister B10, ‘Ton, Steine, Scherben, Wohnen - Wohngebäude Piazza Céramique in Maastricht’, pag. 54-61
  • Boomer's, wonen en werken in het stralende levenslicht van Piazza Céramique, 2006 jaargang 3 nummer 2, pag. 66-69
  • De Architect - Extra: Jaaroverzicht Architectuur Nederland 2007, pag. 4, 5, 30 - 33
  • TBA Time-Based Architecture, volume 3 Piazza Ceramique pag. 16-23
  • Excellent Leven en Wonen, editie Limburg & grensstreek 2008-02, ‘Een architect moet zijn gebouw kunnen dromen’, pag. 50-53
  • Het woongebouw, Klassieke en recente ontwerpen, Jasper van Zwol, uitgever Sun, ISBN 978-90-8506-493-0, Piazza Céramique pag. 30
  • Céramique Een voorbeeld van (Europese) Gebiedsontwikkeling, p 67-68
  • Planungsatlas, Professor Joachim Heisel, Piazza Céramique, pag. 167
  • Post Piraeus – over de bouwplaats en de stad, ‘Over functieneutraliteit - About function neutrality’, ISSN1385-4542, pag. 62-71
  • Architecture Today, ‘Homes that Work’, Holles Frances, 28.08.2019 Architecture Today [http://www.architecturetoday.co.uk/homes-that-work/]
  • DASH Huis Werk Stad, Wonen en werken in het stedelijk bouwblok / Home Work City, Living and Working in the Urban Block, ISBN 978-94-6208-454-4, publisher 010 Nai Publishers, Van Gameren, Dick, Kuitenbrouwer, Paul, Schreurs, Eireen, Holliss, Frances, Jürgenhake, Birgit, Hausleitner, Birgit; pag. 14-23 [discussion, interview], pag. 122-129
  • De Architect December 2019, Thema Woningbouw ‘Dáág doelgroep, wonen in de 21ste eeuw’, pag. 144-153 [Piazza Céramique]