An extraordinary collaboration that reconnects our history with our future
Harold Janssen and Bart Vos collaborate on the design of the expansion of the Kruisherenhotel with their concept for the Stuers. Harold Janssen (1963) of SatijnPlus in Born, is a restauration architect. Bart Vos (1969) is the owner of VOS Studio in Groningen — a studio for interior design, architecture, furniture design and interior. Together with SatijnPlus, Bart’s father worked on the original Kruisherenhotel twenty years ago. Now the next generation is collaborating on a new project⎯ closing the circle on their heritage.
Article by:
Words - Hanneke Koenen & Chrissy Gunn
Images - VOS
Society the Stuers
It was officiated on 14 October 2021 — the purchase of ‘Society the Stuers’. A building so unique, so magnificent, it could only become part of the Oostwegel family. The Stuers houses the Maastricht Institute of Arts. This cultural historic building is adding an extension, as well as a whole new dimension to the meaning of five-star luxury at Kruisherenhotel Maastricht.
The Kruisherenhotel has its own architecture and interior experience, but so does the Stuers. Both are characterised by a historical experience. Harold and Bart are looking for a connection in the design, and to capture the zeitgeist of the history, of today, and of tomorrow. They are looking at Cuypers’ vision for Kruisherenhotel and the Stuers, and how they can present that as a new starting point for the experience of the interior.
Architect Cuypers designed Gothic buildings, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station in Amsterdam, and the Stuers. He was also responsible for the restoration of the Kruisherenhotel at the end of the 19th century. Heavily decorated interiors, with dark colours and gold accents were Cuypers’ signature style. This was originally present in the Stuers. On the outside you can clearly see the neo-Gothic architecture. On the inside the colour and material experience have been lost. In their concept for the Stuers, Harold and Bart are committed to Cuypers’ philosophy to translate the Stuers into a contemporary design that preserves the building’s heritage.
Reinterpreting Cuypers' vision for the Stuers shows craftsmanship. The preservation of traditional elements creates a timeless design that reflects the love and care for the building. The multifunctional hall in the Stuers, with its special acoustic and visual properties, promises to become a true work of art, in which color and light play a crucial role.
Synergy & Expression
This is where they achieve synergy and expression. The hall is long and wide, with large windows through which beautiful light comes in. For acoustic reasons, a box-in-box concept is designed for the hall, which is placing a building inside a building, allowing them to change the shape of the space. The original concrete ceilings are painted with ‘ecoline’, a transparent paint, letting the original features blend together with the newly designed space. The expression of the space now becomes interesting — the windows on both the inside and the outside can now be connected, providing a unique colour and light experience. This allows for a 24-hour transformation of the hall, reflecting as a work of art in the evening.
Studio Rens is brought on board for their colour expertise, as their role as colour artists is crucial in the project. The emphasis lies on the careful application and combination of colours throughout the project, with a thoughtful approach to wayfinding. The original colours of the Stuers are applied to the permanent elements and complementary, new colours are applied to contemporary elements. The colours added to Cuypers’ palette create a fascinating dynamic between the historical line and the contemporary layering in the design.
Harold and Bart are implementing ‘the ultimate guest experience’ into their concept by moving from ‘experience’ to ‘meaning’. Meaningful luxury is the standard at Oostwegel Collection, which they express in their concept through the customer journey — the route you take as a guest. Coherence and change. Surprise effects. The transformation of the great hall. As guests would not expect its form, it is a thrill to enter the space. The unconventional use of lighting. Not everything has to be in the spotlight. Lighting can be subtle, almost invisible. Through light they are creating a sensation. Another sensation is the walk over the ‘Kruisheren passage’ — these are moments guests get as a treat on the route to their room.
Sustainability
What makes this project so special is its sustainability. Making the preservation of (cultural) heritage experienceable and accessible is extremely important for people’s well-being. Maastricht is an old historic city, maintained by its residents and the visitors who adore it. On the other hand, sustainability is pursued through the energy-efficient and comfortable design. Harold and Bart build reversibly, circularly. A future without gas plays a major role in this. Sometimes it seems as if they are dismantling the building and giving it back. They think about the maintenance cycle. They work everything out, down to the last detail — as Cuypers did too. It is always exciting when something new is being created. Harold and Bart create with the determination that the quality will be maintained in the future. It takes guts to create something this extraordinary.
a quick peek
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