The Spoorzone in Tilburg, once a closed industrial domain, is transforming into a vibrant, open part of the city. At its core lie the Koepelhal and Wagenmakerij, two monumental halls that now open up to the public as part of De Verhalenmakerij. By weaving new routes and meeting places through the ensemble, the project creates a lively district where heritage and future come together.
The Wagenmakerij becomes a flexible city hall: a raw yet welcoming ‘middoor’ space for exhibitions, markets, performances and spontaneous encounters. Characteristic luminous wagons restore its historic link to the Koepelhal, housing essential facilities and doubling as glowing landmarks in the cityscape.
The Rolwagenbaan, once used to transport wagons, is reimagined as a public street. With parts of the roof removed, it turns into a bright, green urban passage where daily life, living and events naturally intertwine. Above the halls, the Tilburg twins, two sculptural towers, add a new silhouette to the skyline. Carefully positioned within the historic footprint, they respect the monumental context while introducing contemporary homes, shared roof terraces and collective living rooms that encourage encounters between residents.
Throughout, the design follows the principle of voortbouwen – building forward on what is already there. Existing structures and materials are reused and complemented with new, sustainable layers. Circular strategies, biobased materials and climate-adaptive interventions ensure a resilient and future-ready ensemble. De Verhalenmakerij becomes a place where Tilburg’s past, present and future meet – a vibrant part of the city where new stories continue to unfold.
