In collaboration with Rudy Uytenhaak + Partners Architects, the transformation of De Martinifabriek marks the next chapter in the revitalisation of the Plaspoelpolder business district in the greater The Hague area.
This post-industrial building is reimagined as a circular and inclusive hub for creative, productive and residential functions. The result is a hybrid urban node that blends making, meeting and living — in the heart of a regional innovation corridor between The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam.
Programme
With a total GFA of approx. 30,000 m², the project combines adaptive reuse and new construction:
Podium (existing structure, ~7,900 m²)
Makers studios, circular retail (e.g. thrift store), escape room, hospitality, and a semi-public “inner street.”
Makers Towers (~22,000 m² new-build)
10,540 m² – Makers studios & ateliers
4,670 m² – Leisure, food & community amenities
10,230 m² – Makers in Residence (97–108 short-stay units)
4,590 m² – Future Makers (81–90 short-stay micro-units)
Rooftop garden with community programming and biodiversity.
Basement parking with 100 spaces (2,385 m²).
The Martinifabriek programme targets a wide range of users: local entrepreneurs, creative professionals, start-ups, educators, and international talent seeking a hybrid live/work environment.
Reuse and reposition a 1960s industrial building as an anchor for the emerging Makers District in Rijswijk.
Offer a rich programme of ground-floor public spaces, studios, leisure, education, short-stay and community uses to activate the Plaspoelpolder transformation zone.
Combine creative economy, circular material flows, and inclusive entrepreneurship with a human-scaled design and cultural visibility.
Introduce new typologies such as “Future Makers,” “Makers in Residence,” and short-stay dwellings for knowledge workers, expats and entrepreneurs.
The architectural strategy embraces contrast and clarity:
A bold yet open plinth expresses the public and productive character of the ground floor.
The Makers Towers rise above the podium in slender volumes, articulated through façade rhythms that reflect internal use.
Sustainable strategies include circular construction, local reuse, energy-efficiency, and biodiversity-integration via rooftop gardens and façade design.
A central atrium connects the various uses both visually and spatially — fostering informal exchange and vertical community.
With its hybrid programme, bold reuse strategy and visionary design, De Martinifabriek positions itself as a prototype for next-generation makers districts — where living, working and learning intersect at the urban scale..
Rijswijk Plaspoelpolder – A Makers District for the Next Economy
Key Ambitions
Strategy & Approach
Anchor-based transformation: The Martinifabriek becomes the catalyst for wider mixed-use renewal across the Martinikwadrant, linking creative enterprise with education and living.
Mix-use intensity: By stacking makerspaces, short-stay dwellings, circular economy functions and hospitality in a compact footprint, the building delivers economic, social and spatial value per square metre.
Activation through reuse: The repurposed plinth forms a continuous urban interface with multiple entry points, layered visibility, and community access from all sides.
Circular design principles: All spaces are modular, reconfigurable, and demountable. Materials from the original structure are retained and extended with prefabricated lightweight components.
Regional integration: The project taps into the MRDH knowledge network and directly responds to the regional need for hybrid small-scale workspaces and affordable housing for makers.
Design & Sustainability