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MVRDV design Utrecht venue that doubles as “city oasis”

Dutch architect MVRDV has announced a redesign for the Jaarbeurs event venue in Utrecht, aimed at turning it into a "city oasis" rather than a building dominated by cars and parking spaces.

The 120,000 sq m exhibition, event and conference centre will be renovated on its current site, and become part of the masterplan for a 60ha area behind Utrecht’s main train station.

The renovation will give the centre a green roof that is accessible via cascading terraces, and which will accommodate events as well as sustainable features such as water storage and solar panels. The ground floor will also have exhibition halls, as well as shops and offices.

Winy Maas, MVRDV’s founder, said: "It is rare that a private party not only invests in its own building, but also includes the environment in its plans.

"This master plan shows that Jaarbeurs is passionate about the city and dares to think outside the box. This is desperately needed, because this underused area has the potential to become a fantastic neighbourhood with the venue as its core – an attractive green ‘hill’ in the city.

"The plan is also an opportunity to significantly improve the city and properly connect the centre, the station area, the Merwede Canal zone and the Kanaleneiland."

Construction work on the Jaarbeurs exhibition, event and conference centre is expected to start in 2023.

Images courtesy of MVRDV

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