Arbeidsbureau

Reamagining an old office building as collective housing. The Arbeidsbureau in Heerlen, long abandoned, stands as a dormant piece of real estate with significant architectural value. Like many 1970s office structures, it offers spatial qualities and robust construction that make it well-suited for reuse.

The site sits within the lush green fabric of Parkstad, adjacent to two major works by Peutz, including the old hospital. This context underlines the cultural weight of the location and highlights the opportunity to preserve and activate an important part of Heerlen’s postwar urban heritage.

By converting rather than demolishing, the project argues for a more resourceful and sustainable approach to development. It seeks to show how existing buildings can be adapted to contemporary needs while retaining their character and structural integrity.

The proposal is not only a design exercise but also a call to action. At a time of acute housing shortage, it positions renovation as a powerful alternative to tabula rasa urbanism, urging municipalities, developers, and citizens to reconsider the hidden potential of what is already here.