Car Park Katwolderplein, Zwolle

This eye-catching car park in Zwolle has its own distinctive look, inspired by a voyage along the Silk Road through Central Asia. There travellers converged in a caravanserai, a place that provides caravans with shelter for the night. Eastern hues and patterns adorn the façade of the garage. It curls elegantly around the building, juts out at the top and is an accumulation of raised bricks. The masonry has five different patterns, which are magically accentuated by spotlights after sunset. That creates an almost dreamy atmosphere. Like a fairy tale.

The car park’s roof consists of 800 square metres of solar panels. Smart routing limits the needless emission of exhaust fumes, and the energy-efficient LED lighting system only turns on when there is activity. Sustainable visitors can charge their cars at one of the 28 charging points, and nature is welcome here as well. Green hanging plants adorn the rear façade, and there are nesting and shelter spots all around the car park for swallows and bats. Sustainable in nature, the car park conforms to Dutch BREEAM standards.

The location between the heart of the city and the A28 motorway was strategically chosen. With its warm appearance, the car park is a bridge between Katwolderplein, the Pathé cinema and the centre of Zwolle. It’s a caravanserai of our time: an oasis for the visitors and residents of a busy city.


Architect: L. van der Pol
Team: P. Cannon, E. Verwijnen, R. Visser
Number: 1311
Status: Built
Year: 2013 - 2017
Client: Zwolle Township

Please download the project PDF for more info about this project.