Zaans Pijl
The transformation of the former Brokking animal feed factory on the Zaan into residential housing turned out to be an extremely complex task. What began as an ambitious plan to preserve industrial heritage eventually after years of research, consultation, and coordination led to the decision to completely demolish the building. A drastic but necessary choice, arising from technical, spatial, and societal considerations.
The 1930 factory had a rich history of expansions and modifications in service of production. This resulted in a fascinating layering, but also an unusable structure. The foundation proved to lack sufficient bearing capacity, the 3-by-3-meter column grid was unsuitable for residential layouts, and the façades could not meet today’s stringent sustainability requirements, either thermally or structurally. Attempts at partial preservation would have resulted in expensive, technically complex, and residentially weak solutions.
Meanwhile, more and more stakeholders became involved in the plan: from supervisors and urban planners to aesthetic committees, from heritage organizations to local residents, aldermen, and council members. Their wishes often clashed. While one argued for a “historicizing” character, another called for efficiency, affordability, comfort, or energy neutrality. The choice of brick led to long discussions; after extensive color research including paintings from the Zaans Museum not dark brown, but a fresh, optimistic yellow hue was chosen, fitting with other historic warehouses such as ‘de Ruiter’ and ‘Lassie’. Back then, people certainly didn’t build gloomy, dark factories.
A clear and forward-looking approach was chosen. The factory has been demolished, but the volumetry and character of the original building have been respected. The new construction remains within the zoning plan’s contours and subtly refers to the industrial past in material and rhythm.
Within this framework, a firm choice was made for quality: high-end residences that all benefit from sunlight/daylight due to a large opening on the south side, with views of the Zaan and vistas over the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Beemster. The result is an ensemble that both honors and reinvents the location: sustainable, future-proof, and ready for the next century.
