Bunkertoren
Eindhoven

Architect Meagan Kerr:

”To merge the residential tower with the original structure, we adopted the design language and materials of Maaskant’s work. In addition to concrete, he frequently used wood and glass. Platowood wood complements the original materials of the Bunker and met all requirements, both aesthetically and in terms of fire retardancy, sustainability, and supply.”

Platowood Poplar façades and ceilings

Platowood Poplar was used as façade cladding. The wooden elements were fabricated into prefab racks. The vertical installation emphasizes the tower’s height. Loggias, balconies, and galleries are also clad with Platowood Poplar. To meet regulations, the wood was treated with a fire-retardant finish. The Color finish—a pre-greying treatment with pigment—fades gradually while the wood naturally weathers over time. To ensure the right wood was placed in the right location, various parties collaborated: Maas Reusel prepared and delivered the wood, Van Wijnen mounted the racks onto the façade, and ZND Nedicom handled the cladding of the loggia walls and ceilings.

Upgrading a Brutalist icon to the 21st century

Architecture firm Powerhouse Company and developers RED Company and Being made a conscious decision to preserve the Bunker—a historic site for many Eindhoven students. With the addition of the tower in the same Brutalist style, upgraded materials like Platowood, and climate-adaptive and nature-inclusive features, this 1960s icon has once again become a relevant space. The BunkerToren’s unique asymmetrical and tapered shape offers a different perspective from every angle.

A monument for the city

Opening the Bunker to the city was a central aim of the design process. DELVA Landscape Architecture & Urbanism added the public BunkerPark, using a visual language consistent with the architecture. The tower’s design consists of three vertical sections, creating an increasingly light and transparent appearance towards the top. The large windows at the upper levels symbolize openness and offer residents sweeping views over the city. This layered composition blends old and new, resulting in a monument for Eindhoven, one that restores and honors the original appeal of Maaskant’s Bunker.