Made by NRE – A Sustainable Mixed-Use Landmark in Eindhoven by Houben by Van Mierlo

 Architects: Houben / Van Mierlo 

A Collective Vision for Urban Regeneration

Made by NRE is a groundbreaking mixed-use development that redefines community-driven architecture in Eindhoven. Initiated by Houben / Van Mierlo, the project brings together residents, entrepreneurs, designers, and makers to transform four previously undeveloped plots on the historic NRE gasworks site into a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive neighborhood.

Winning the 2018 municipal tender, the collective developed four distinct yet interconnected buildings that house twelve residences alongside dynamic business spaces—including craft workshops, creative studios, an exhibition hall, a language school, a vintage car garage, a restaurant, a boutique hotel, and integrated parking facilities.

This bottom-up urban design approach ensures each structure reflects the needs and character of its occupants, while contributing to the site’s cohesive identity.

Ambachtsdorp – The Crafts Village

The Ambachtsdorp (Crafts Village) forms a compact cluster of nine unique dwellings surrounding a lush shared courtyard.

• Square footprint allows shallow floor plans and maximized natural light.
• Tetris-like layouts ensure each home fits its owner’s budget, program, and lifestyle.
• Collective outdoor space fosters community interaction while providing privacy and shelter.

This residential concept demonstrates how innovative spatial arrangements can encourage both individuality and communal living in dense urban settings.

Body Building – A Bio-Based Design for Wellbeing

Designed by and for three body-focused creatives, the Body Building champions circular and sustainable architecture.

• Structure & Facade: Cross-laminated timber (CLT) frame with self-supporting hempcrete block insulation.
• Environmental Impact: Bio-based materials store over 200 tons of CO₂.
• Healthy Indoor Climate: Breathable, moisture-regulating shell finished in lime plaster and paint.

Its “skin” design—inspired by the human body’s anatomy and wrapped scaffolding aesthetics—was conceived by the owners themselves, symbolizing transparency and structure beneath a protective surface.

Werkgebouw – The Multifunctional Work Hub

The Werkgebouw (Work Building) accommodates a diverse range of entrepreneurs within a unified architectural language.

• Façade Expression: Ground-level overhead doors with rhythmic first-floor windows.
• Structural Logic: Demountable steel frame with steel and polycarbonate cladding.
• Roof Design: Serrated, recessed form housing a hotel under golden corrugated steel panels.

This flexible, adaptive building design balances functional diversity with architectural coherence.

All photographs are works of Bas Gijselhart, Koen Bosman