Crescendo
High quality housing project for seniors on the banks of the river Maas: a landmark for Venlo that blends perfectly with its surroundings.
Metropolitan presence
Crescendo is a sheltered housing project for senior citizens, in the Maaswaard area in the city of Venlo. The ensemble of buildings is a visually defining object for Venlo - high profile and metropolitan, but at the same time sensitive to the surrounding residential areas. From a sturdy four-storey basement rise four towers of different heights. This design gives the building a visible connection to the similarly constructed nearby office tower of the Nedinsco-complex, while also taking into account the sight lines and through ways in the adjoining neighbourhoods. The towers are wrapped in an ‘open’ screen of glass panels, adding a lighter touch that contrasts with the ensemble’s otherwise rather imposing metropolitan presence. Many of the homes and apartments have views over the river Maas.
Open plinth
Cladding consists of cut stone and sandwich panels that range in colour from light to dark. A semi-public, sun-filled courtyard in the south spills over into the park on that side. The block overlooking the courtyard seems to float due to its 2.5 metre tall glass plinth, which contains health care and other facilities. A restaurant/ grand café with a south-facing terrace offers residents a secluded place to relax, but also plenty of possibilities to socialize and interact.
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