Hessenberg is a spot in the inner city of Nijmegen with a rich history which can be traced back to the Roman Occupation. In recent centuries the site has been occupied by monasteries and the regional newspaper De Gelderlander.
Within a masterplan by Bob van Reeth four blocks were developed. They are randomly scattered over the project and sit on large shared underground parking garages. The design follows on plain facade principles. Anthracite engineering bricks form a solid plinth. The upper stories have a gridded facade. Horizontal lintels are juxtaposed by brick piers, between which sit recessed brickwork planes with window frames. The bricks of the upper floors are cream. All window frames are made of champagne coloured aluminum. At the upper floors these are supplied with a steel railing, in the plinth they are supplied with glass railings.
The facades are akin to the architecture of Bob van Reeth. Each building has its own urban role in the ensemble. The typology of the buildings results in differences. The facade diagram is refined in each case and adjusted by varying the height of the plinth and width of the windows.
