The new Lampegiet Theatre, a collaborative design by MVRDV and Buro Happold, is set to redefine Veenendaal's cultural landscape. This ambitious project, replacing an outdated 1988 structure, received city council approval in January 2026, with construction slated for 2027 and completion by 2029. The design seamlessly blends contemporary performance needs with the city's unique historical identity, featuring a compact, multi-volume form encased in a perforated ceramic exterior. This innovative facade transforms the building into a luminous urban landmark, particularly striking when illuminated at night, and is integral to the broader urban renewal of the Duivenweide district, which will also encompass a new city park, event space, parking, and residential developments.
Strategically positioned as a vital cultural hub, the Lampegiet Theatre aims to forge a connection between the forthcoming park and one of Veenendaal's principal thoroughfares. Its design prioritizes an engaging public experience, with expansive, transparent foyer facades designed to animate the theatre square. The interior spaces are meticulously organized into six distinct volumes, each tailored to a specific function: three auditoriums of varying capacities (700, 200, and 100 seats, the latter for Filmhuis Veenendaal), along with inviting foyers, a café, and essential back-of-house areas. This thoughtful arrangement of stacked and integrated volumes not only minimizes the building's perceived bulk but also harmonizes its scale with the surrounding urban environment, creating an accessible and aesthetically pleasing cultural destination.
A Landmark Design: Blending History and Modernity
The proposed Lampegiet Theatre, a joint effort by MVRDV and Buro Happold, represents a significant architectural evolution for Veenendaal. Set to replace the existing 1988 structure, the project, approved by the Veenendaal City Council in January 2026, is anticipated to begin construction in 2027 and conclude by 2029. This new cultural edifice is conceived not merely as a replacement but as a contemporary response to the evolving demands of performance arts and a tribute to the city's deep-rooted historical narratives. Its design embraces a multi-volume, compact configuration, distinguished by a striking porous ceramic facade. This facade is engineered to allow light to permeate, transforming the theatre into an illuminated beacon in the urban nightscape, thereby establishing it as a prominent and recognizable landmark within Veenendaal. This innovative approach ensures the building is both functional and symbolically resonant with its environment.
The current Lampegiet Theatre, centrally located, draws its name from the traditional Lampegietersavond festival, a cherished local event where children parade with lanterns. While culturally cherished, the present building is widely considered outdated and ill-suited for modern adaptations. To address this, the municipality initiated plans for a replacement that would not only meet contemporary sustainability benchmarks but also accommodate a wider array of functions, including dedicated spaces for pop music performances and state-of-the-art cinema screenings. This forward-looking design by MVRDV and Buro Happold thus aims to create a versatile venue capable of hosting diverse cultural events, enhancing Veenendaal's appeal as a vibrant cultural center while respecting its unique heritage. The new theatre's compact form and distinctive facade are central to its integration and identity within the urban fabric.
Sustainable Innovation and Community Integration
As the cultural cornerstone of the burgeoning Duivenweide district, the Lampegiet Theatre signifies the initial phase of a comprehensive urban revitalization. This larger master plan includes the development of a new city park, an expansive event area, modern parking facilities, and new residential buildings, creating a cohesive and dynamic urban environment. The theatre itself is strategically designed to act as a connective element, linking the future park with one of Veenendaal's primary streets. This connection is reinforced by large, transparent foyer facades that serve to activate the theatre square, drawing visitors in and fostering a sense of community engagement. The architectural layout meticulously organizes the program into six distinct volumes, each specifically designed for a particular function, from auditoriums to public spaces, ensuring both functional efficiency and aesthetic appeal within the wider urban context.
In collaboration with Buro Happold, MVRDV has embedded robust sustainability strategies throughout the theatre's design, ensuring its long-term environmental viability. The building incorporates photovoltaic panels for renewable energy generation, an advanced heat pump system for efficient climate control, and a suite of other energy-efficient installations to minimize its ecological footprint. Beyond energy conservation, the project emphasizes ecological integration, featuring green planters thoughtfully distributed across the site. Critically, valuable existing trees identified by the municipality are preserved, and additional measures, such as nesting boxes for birds and bats, are integrated to support local biodiversity. The interior design prioritizes flexibility, allowing spaces to adapt to future needs, thereby extending the building's functional lifespan and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and community service.