It was once the ugliest building in Oss, but that is now different. The brand new Cultural Center Walkwartier will open its doors for the public once this weekend due to the Heritage Days. Because the building will only be officially opened next year.
With the Heritage Days you think of old buildings such as mills, churches, historic homes, archaeological sites and a shelter. But even with this newly renovated and certainly not old building, the audience was allowed to take a look. Although the architects of the Walkwartier have achieved inspiration from the industrial past of Oss.
New building with old shade
“It’s a new cultural house. But you can see the industrial past well,” he explains. “For example, an oven has been copied from the old cookie factory that was here years ago,” says the center manager. “And so every room has its own theme,” Jack lies. The outside of the building is also inspired by the Osse Koekjesfabriek at the end of the 19th century.
On the spot where the Walkwartier is now, there used to be a chapel and then old mansions. “Shortly thereafter, the V&D came. That was later named the ugliest building in the city,” Jack says.
“And just after that the plan for the Walkwartier was established. From next year the department store with a library, city archive and tourist information center will be created on this site.”
In January, after ten years, the cultural center will open. But today everyone could take a look. “People are positively surprised about the choice of materials and the light through the large skylight,” Jack ends. “A wonderful project that Oss has given a good appearance in terms of entrance. It is a new, old monument,” describes one of the visitors.
Yet not everyone was positive. “It was industrial, I don’t like that,” says one of the visitors. Another visitor explains: “It was very nice to see it in real life. It is nice dressed.” That it is not old does not matter this visitor. “At least I can’t get the V&D feeling anymore.”