De Weverij – The Final Icon of Roombeek, Enschede
In 2001, Enschede was devastated by the SE Fireworks disaster, which destroyed much of the Roombeek district. Led by supervisor Pi de Bruijn, the area underwent a long process of recovery and reconstruction. Two decades later, Roombeek has become a vibrant neighborhood, defined by striking landmarks such as the Museumfabriek, the Balengebouw, and the Eekenhof.
The latest addition is the Weverij – a residential building set to become the fifth and final icon of Roombeek. Built on the site of a former textile hall, De Weverij directly connects to the adjacent ARTEZ building, both rooted in Enschede’s strong textile heritage.
Architecturally, the design respects the industrial character of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Two facades echo the rhythm and materiality of their historic surroundings, while the third introduces a bold contemporary element: an etched aluminum surface in brick-red tones, its crumpled appearance symbolizing the 2001 explosion.
The triangular footprint of the site inspired the building’s form, which integrates seamlessly with the surrounding green shards of the urban landscape. Inside, 150 modern apartments with an integrated parking facility offer both comfort and functionality.
De Weverij stands as a powerful architectural statement: rooted in history, shaped by resilience, and designed for the future. It marks the completion of Roombeek’s transformation and establishes itself as the neighborhood’s last great icon.
The explosion
Years after the explosion
Relation of similarity
Correcting angular distortion in structure
Orthogonal structure
Orthogonal structure
North facade
East facade
South facade
West facade