Mystery solved: this is the Hulk of Zoetermeer

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One of the most mysterious buildings in Zoetermeer is located at Bredewater 16 in Meerzicht. The huge office looks like a modern haunted house. What happens behind those bright green walls?

The building on the Bredewater is now called Business Center De Unie, but is known as the Hulk to most Zoetermeer residents. We tell you the story behind this stone powerhouse.

A pink Hulk

For that we have to go back to the 1970s. Zoetermeer was experiencing a growth spurt at that time. More and more residential areas were added, such as Palenstein and Driemanspolder, and space was allocated for offices in the planning of Meerzicht. Zoetermeer soon brought in the large company IBM. In 1978, the General Union of Civil Servants (ABVA) also wanted an office Sweet Lake City.

Architect J. Vlaming was commissioned to design the new workplace for ABVA. He turned it into a typical 1980s building. Huge on the outside, small spaces on the inside. You may not expect it, but the Hulk is still quite cozy. This is because Vlaming applied different heights to the floors, such as voids and a prominent place for the stairs. He also used natural colours: green, yellow and wood. Cosy. Or not? We leave it to you.

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ABVA clapped its hands when the project was completed. And many employees of the union spent their working week in this brand new building for years. But after several changes and mergers, the ABVA (by then the Abvakabo, not to be confused with avocado – also green) came to an end in 2015. The PinkRoccade company moved into the building. This is how the Hulk suddenly got a pink tint.

Yes Yes. And now?

All well and good, but now you still don’t know what’s going on in that modern haunted house. Come on: the Hulk has grown into a creative breeding ground. PinkRoccade left the building a few years ago and made way for about 35 small entrepreneurs. There are also several flexible workplaces in the building, if you are still looking for a workplace outside the door.

Curious what the old Hulk looks like inside? Zoetermeer artist Karel Lengkeek sometimes gives tours. Fun fact: his artwork decorates the entire property.

Source: Architecture Punt Zoetermeer

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