Nieuwsletter september 2025

At Ruland Architecten, our expertise lies in innovation and preservation. We have experience with new construction, redevelopment and historic buildings. Sustainability always plays a key role: with innovative technologies in relation to heritage preservation. Strengthening the unique character of the historic building is central to our approach – from project to product development.

Innovative energy concept

The HTMU warehouse in Utrecht is a robust industrial building that reflects the timelines and history of the new Wisselspoor neighborhood. The warehouse is therefore designated as a hotspot for the neighborhood and the Spoorpark. Commissioned by Primestone Development, Ruland Architecten added short-stay apartments to the HTMU warehouse. By placing these apartments on top of the existing warehouse, the building remains a large, recognizable space and opens up to a new program for the neighborhood. At the same time, this creates a feasible and realistic plan for restoring this characteristic building. The new functions in the HTMU warehouse have different energy and water demands than the original train repair warehouse. A combination of solar panels on the roof and facade provides the necessary energy, which is stored in two batteries: one for electrical and one for thermal energy. Thanks to innovative technologies, the total energy demand from the grid is limited to just 12%, eliminating the need to expand the existing grid connection for the redevelopment of the HTMU warehouse. In addition, a combination of rainwater and graywater treatment, coupled with an integrated management system, reduces water consumption for the new functions in the HTMU warehouse by more than 75%. The energy concept was developed by Circl Technologies and is explained in more detail via this link.

Elderly care in Oudenbosch

Two listed urban villa’s and a large courtyard form the backdrop for the development of a new healthcare complex in Oudenbosch. Commissioned by Primestone Development, Ruland Architecten designed a plan with 38 homes surrounding a courtyard. Watch the film to discover how modern, small-scale care is brought to life in the historic village center.

Attention for the future and the past

Valkenburg Station is the oldest station building in the Netherlands. Ruland Architecten, in collaboration with Peutz and construction cost consultant Heijneman, developed four future scenarios for this unique building. These considered not only energy saving measures and maintenance, but also the reconstruction of the original roof and its original colors. The goal is clear: make the distinctive building more sustainable and restore its original appearance. However, caution is required, as the station is constructed of marlstone, a unique and fragile building material. Retrofitting the facades with insulation can cause significant damage during freeze-thaw cycles. Careful choices will prepare the building for the future without compromising its past.

Entrance with craftsmanship

The façade of Haarlem station is one of the most iconic monumental stations of the 20th century and a popular backdrop for historically themed films. The later added automatic sliding doors were very much out of place in this Art Nouveau façade. Reconstruction of the original doors, based on archival research, completes the rich façade and provides more space for passenger flow.

Colors from the lab

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Reinstating historical colors is one of the key aspects of restoring a building’s original character. Ruland Architects collaborates with experienced researchers who work in accordance with the guidelines of the RCE and ERM, supported by laboratory research. Based on the research results, we develop a suitable interpretation, often drawing on the original palette, but sometimes also on later periods. Occasionally, no older layers are found, and we search for a color that reflects the building’s period and architecture.

Rediscovered harmony

Schin op Geul station is one of the stations where we collaborated with Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg and NS Stations to recreate the color palette of the original architect Van Heukelom. The resulting shades of green and yellow complement the old tile tableaus and bring back color, character and harmony..

All experts in a file for new roof tile

A standard permanent maintenance facility at Geldermalsen station would significantly dsifigure the listed railway building. Therefore, Ruland Architecten, in collaboration with NS Stations, contractor Oome Raamsdonk, engineering firm Coenradie and 3DPrintLab, is developing a comprehensive and unique solution: a steel-reinforced owl pan to guide a fastened safety harness.