New City Hall for Grave near Eindhoven

The new building for the City Hall in Grave, designed by Erick van Egeraat, was officially opened. The municipality shares the building with housing corporation Maasland and the regional historic archive of the Province of North Brabant, BHIC.

The building is part of a masterplan developed by EEA for Grave in 1998. The masterplan distinguishes between two zones; the historic centre of Grave and the green space surrounding the old fortress. The new city hall is situated on the border between these two zones, on the exact location of the former fortification.

The surroundings were not only an inspiration for the building's materials, but also influenced its shape. The fluent form of the complex refers to the former city walls, the interior structure of the building integrates the town's characteristic alleyways as a theme into its layout.

Seen from a distance, the building presents itself as a singular ensemble. Up close, however, specific identities of the users become apparent. The three parties present themselves to the public in the main entrance hall, an open environment on the ground floor, thereby stimulating interaction among the tenants and between tenants and visitors.