The former BAT cigarette factory in Zevenaar has a new destination. The impressive production hall from 1952 has been transformed into a multifunctional building for various cultural and social organizations. The library, the Liemers Museum, Filmhuis Zevenaar, Caleidoz Welzijn, De Liemers en Doesburg Regional Archivist, RSD de Liemers and the municipality of Zevenaar offer social, cultural and educational programs for the residents of De Liemers.

The starting point for the design was the preservation of the industrial heritage. The hall is clear in design with long sightlines, large skylights and an impressive steel construction. The factory floor, ceilings and pipes have remained visible everywhere, so that the atmosphere of the factory can still be felt. Three large wooden volumes occupy a prominent place in the hall. It contains two cinemas and a catering kitchen. On the north side of the building, the library has moved into a double-height space. The ceiling-high bookcases emphasize this height. The large event space, part of the catering concept, can be flexibly arranged for meetings, festivals, fairs and concerts.

Sustainability is not a magic word here but applied throughout the project. Starting with the redesignation of the production hall itself. The wooden volumes are covered with old floorboards from a demolition building. The diamond pattern, inspired by the diamond-shaped masonry in the facade, gives this upholstery its own character. Old overhead doors from the demolished halls behind HAL12 have been reused in the event space. The loose furnishings in the library and the catering industry mainly consist of second-hand furniture. Existing elements have been supplemented with innovative new parts such as luminaires with LED lighting. It gives a nice mix of old and new.

Photography: Mike Bink

Projectteam Studio Groen+Schild:
Ellen Schild, Thijs Bongers, Rosanne Bommartini