Mecanoo complete pavilion gateway for historic hotel and spa estate
– Francine Houben
Dutch architects Mecanoo have completed an elegant pavilion for a hotel, restaurant and spa complex near Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Château St. Gerlach is a historic estate situated close to the hills of the scenic Limburg countryside. It is formed of a number of old buildings and monuments, including the Château (1661), the St. Gerlachus Church (1727), the Farmstead (1759) and the Manor Farm (1668).
Mecanoo were tasked with creating a gateway to complete the ensemble and create an anchoring point for the local village, Houthem.
“The design for the St. Gerlach Pavilion features a cantilevered roof with a beautiful curve, said Francine Houben, founding partner and creative director of Mecanoo. “The materials used are inspired by the natural surrounding of Limburg: marlstone, bluestone and oak.
“From the pavilion, guests will have diverse views over the château, the hills, the meadow and the manor farm.”
There are three large multifunctional meeting rooms in the pavilion, which can be used separately or combined for a variety of community meetings and events.
Mecanoo have also renovated the manor farm, a national monument from 1668, to house small meeting rooms and a café. An intimate 'village square' has also been created between the pavilion and the manor farm that forms an outdoor extension of the foyer.
"The St. Gerlach Pavilion and the restored manor farm complete and strengthen the historical building ensemble, making the estate future-proof,” said the owner of the leisure complex, Camille Oostwegel Sr. “We can now optimally accommodate both private and business guests."
Mecanoo have also recently completed a timber gateway for Keukenhof, one of the world's largest flower gardens, and the diamond-patterned Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel – both in the Netherlands.
Overseas they are working on the renovation of New York Public Library and a “timeless” new library for Tainan, with a transparent stepped facade and below-grade courtyards.
Mecanoo Francine Houben architecture design Maastricht the Netherlands Château St. Gerlach
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