At Louis Bouwmeesterplein in Tilburg, a new residential and cultural ensemble is introduced that brings together housing, culture and everyday urban life in a carefully layered composition. Located next to the city theatre and Zomerpark, the project combines residential towers with a public parking hub, creative workspaces, commercial amenities and a public rooftop park.

Louis Bouwmeesterplein connects the urban dynamics of the Schouwburgring with the greenery of the Zomerpark and nearby cultural institutions. The design builds on Tilburg’s identity as a city of makers, production, and transformation, shaping a new piece of inner city with a distinct Tilburg character.
The design was created by De Bouwmeesters - a collaboration between HILBERINKBOSCH architecten, Werkstatt, and Orange Architects - commissioned by developer BPD | Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling and based on the urban plan by Wissing. With the design, BPD and the municipality of Tilburg are investing in a future-proof redevelopment of the Louis Bouwmeesterplein.

The design is deeply rooted in the context of Tilburg. The city is not defined by a single dominant urban order, but rather by an accumulation of urban ribbons, industrial heritage, and cultural development. This very layering forms the foundation of the plan. At Louis Bouwmeesterplein, three worlds join: a robust urban edge along the Schouwburgring, a green and people-oriented area around the Zomerpark and the city’s culture-cluster. The plan translates these conditions into an ensemble that does not separate these atmospheres, but instead interweaves them.

The plan is conceived as a unified ensemble of three building volumes - the Stadsblok, Parkblok and Maakblok. Each relates differently to its surroundings and expresses a distinct architectural identity, while together they form a coherent whole. The overarching principle is “weaving”: a spatial and material strategy in which functions, volumes, routes, and materials are interconnected. The ensemble is executed in brick, aligning with the scale and tactility characteristic of Tilburg.

Color plays a key role in the concept. De Bouwmeesters are collaborating with Tilburg-based artist Sigrid Calon to explore how the architecture can build upon the city’s historical and lost color palettes. Drawing from Tilburg’s history, its textile heritage, and its evolving urban layers, a palette is being developed that anchors the ensemble in its context while giving it a distinctive contemporary identity.
The ensemble combines mobility, housing, and services within a clear urban structure. The lower three levels (of which two underground) accommodate a public parking hub for both the city and residents, while commercial functions, workshops, entrances, and a café at ground level create an active plinth. Above this lies a publicly accessible rooftop park functioning as a second ground level: a green deck that connects the ensemble and provides space for meeting, relaxation, and shared facilities. This level includes the Louis Bouwmeester Foyer, a shared living room and cultural stage, and “De Bouwplaats”, dedicated to making and collaboration.

From this collective base, four residential towers rise, offering a wide variety of housing types and layouts for diverse target groups. The plan carefully organizes a transition from public to collective and private spaces: from lively plinths and public routes, through the green rooftop landscape and shared amenities, to sheltered living environments in the upper levels. This structure encourages interaction and contributes to a diverse, inclusive, and socially cohesive ecosystem.

“The design makes the site’s history visible through architecture and spatial design. References to Tilburg’s textile past are subtly integrated into the façades and detailing.”

A striking feature is the “DE SCHOORSTEEN”: a plant-covered public staircase connecting the parking garage to the rooftop park, referencing the former factory chimney that once stood on this site. Existing urban elements, such as the fountain on Zomerstraat, are also given a new place within the plan.

Sustainability is embedded according to the World We Value principle: World stands for responsible use of resources, We for healthy and safe living together, and Value for creating added value for the neighborhood and the city. This approach aligns with the sustainability ambitions of both BPD and the municipality of Tilburg. The design strengthens the green network around Louis Bouwmeesterplein and establishes a direct connection to the Zomerpark. Through public routes and stairways, the park is linked to the elevated rooftop landscape, creating a continuous green system with space for interaction, relaxation, and biodiversity. Water retention, greening, climate adaptation, and energy-efficient passive design principles contribute to a healthy and future-proof living environment.
At the same time, De Bouwmeesters focus on CO₂ reduction through efficient construction systems, circular and biobased materials, and a smart building configuration. The result is a safe and healthy living environment that not only adds value to the project itself but also to the surrounding neighborhood: a sustainable and recognizable Tilburg ensemble, rooted in a city of makers, production, and transformation.