Koelhuis Eindhoven District, official member of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
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We are excited to announce that during the Placemaking Europe event in Rotterdam, Koelhuis Eindhoven District became an official member of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)!
The east end of Eindhoven, the Canal Zone, is transforming from an industrial area into a vibrant urban district. With the Design Academy Eindhoven moving nearby and the Caai construction featuring five mid-rise residential buildings, the area is evolving. The Koelhuis District is expected to start construction by the end of 2025, adding affordable rental apartments for the city’s residents.
Koelhuis District is envisioned as a creative cultural district, sustaining culture and urban vibrancy for its residents, guests, and visitors. It will offer affordable housing and makerspaces for individuals skilled in technology, art, design, and innovation, supporting the EHV|DNA community. The district will be located close to the city center.
Koelhuis will extend the city's cultural axis, linking the west and east sides of Eindhoven. It will become a cultural anchor, centered around the historic Campina freezer warehouse. Built in the 1960s with a brutalist design, this industrial heritage building symbolizes the region's industrial rise and economic progress achieved through local industry collaboration – core elements of Eindhoven’s DNA.
The iconic concrete structure of Koelhuis exudes a mysterious atmosphere that sparks curiosity. It’s an ideal setting for immersive experience venues, new media art, and contemporary culture. The district will host local and international collaborations that connect technology, art, design, and culture, strengthening the ecosystem.
GCDN is an international association committed to enhancing urban life through the arts, culture, and creative industries, with members from Australia, the UK, Canada, the US, Dubai, China, and Singapore.
The Koelhuis District, centered around immersive experiences, will be an incubator for the creative and tech communities to live, work, and showcase their talents.
"By fostering a dynamic environment that nurtures creativity and community engagement, Koelhuis District will enhance the region’s cultural landscape and drive economic growth and social cohesion," says Gregorio Lucena Scarpella, Director of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN).
Arnold van de Water, Marjolein Vlaming, and Tom Bakkers, the founders of Concrete Culture, emphasize the need to support artists who shape places: “Too often, artists don’t benefit from the value they add. Koelhuis District aims to empower creatives by providing them with sustainable spaces and the infrastructure to lead the immersive experiences industry."