Poortgebouw, Administrative building entrance in Utrecht, Netherlands
The Poortgebouw is an administrative building for the Waterboard Association de Stichtse Rijnlanden, with a perforated facade that mirrors water patterns. The 750-square-meter structure houses office spaces, laboratories, a cafeteria, and excursion rooms offering panoramic views of the water treatment operations.
The structure was completed in 2019 by architects Marcel Steeghs and Wilco Huppelschoten, transforming what had been a hidden wastewater treatment facility into a visible municipal building. This change marked a shift in how the city made infrastructure visible to the public.
The building teaches about water management through its see-through design, letting people observe how the city treats and recycles water. The architecture itself becomes a teaching tool for sustainable practices.
The building sits directly beside the water treatment operations and offers walking access to viewing areas overlooking the facilities. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the panoramic spaces takes time.
The building uses Nereda technology, an advanced purification system that cuts energy use while boosting treatment capacity compared to standard methods. This biological process works with bead-shaped sludge particles that operate more efficiently than typical systems.
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