A square to cherish, Nieuwegein

A square to love A new heart for the town of Nieuwegein, this was the brief by the municipality and the developer MultiVastgoed to the design teams of Dok architecten.Transformation of the existing Marktplein (Market Square) of Nieuwegein into the town’s heart comprising apartments, restaurants, cafes and shops was a fabulous opportunity to convert the image of Nieuwegein from business-like to warm and pleasant. Although the existing town centre dating from the seventies had been carefully designed, it no longer met current demands.

The need for pleasant times spent on an inviting square was the reason for coming up with a new concept for the market square. Liesbeth van der Pol, Dok architecten chose for a romantic atmosphere in a smaller, more intimate setting with modern colours and materials. This has resulted in an oval shaped square, lined by decorative shop fronts.

Its architecture and the richly decorated shop fronts like upstanding ‘collars’ of shining white prefabricated concrete offer the square its ‘own’ character. Trees and terraces on the square create a natural quality of the surroundings. The fabulous stone finishings to the square lift the project to a non-Dutch level.

A total transformation as a Gesamtkunstwerk – an all-embracing art form – of Urban Development, Landscape, Art and Architecture offering Nieuwegein its new identity. The market square: a square to love.


Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol
Team: P. Cannon, W. Hermanns, M. Hardonk, A. Koch, R. Bos, P. De Weerd, E. Verwijnen
Number: 0524
Status: Built
Year: 2005 - 2014
Client: Nieuwegein CV

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