Projects

Swimming and Sports Complex Hoornse Vaart

Alkmaar (NL), 2030

Information

Within sight of Alkmaar Noord station, the new Hoornse Vaart Sports Quarter will be built in the coming years. The project is the cornerstone of an integrated area development in Alkmaar Noord, in which sport, landscape and mobility come together to form a coherent and future-proof whole.

Dialogue between building and landscape

The design of the Hoornse Vaart Sports Quarter is characterised by open and rhythmic architecture in which sport and the environment are visibly connected. The green façade with airy frames gives the building depth and layering and ensures a smooth transition between the landscape and the interior of the building. Within the contours of the building, space is created for pleasant, small-scale intermediate spaces with room for plants and trees. Indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly into each other: the recreational pools are directly connected to the sunbathing area, the outdoor pool and the park. This creates a total experience where sport, relaxation and nature reinforce each other.

Park landscape as a connecting network

An inviting park is being created around the Sportkwartier, seamlessly connecting sport, relaxation and nature. Sunbathing areas, an outdoor pool, outdoor park and sports fields are located in a single coherent green network where walking, cycling and recreation are central. Car-free routes, clear sightlines and well-organised paths ensure a safe and inviting public space. Indoor and outdoor sports flow naturally into each other here, and the park forms a green link between the neighbourhood and the complex. From the car-free square, intuitive routes lead to the transparent, double-height entrance hall; a recognisable beacon that is clearly visible from the station, Hertog Aalbrechtweg and surrounding schools.

Clear and colourful interior

The new sports complex houses a wide and intensive sports programme, with several swimming pools (50 metres, 25 metres, recreation and target group pool), two sports halls, a mirror room and fitness facilities. These sports functions are located as close to the facades as possible, making sports visible from the park and the surrounding routes. A bright colour palette, inspired by Alkmaar and the surrounding polders, makes the different zones recognisable and supports intuitive navigation through the building.

Public walkway as spatial backbone

A clearly recognisable public route forms the spatial backbone of the complex. From the entrance hall, a walkway leads visitors straight through the swimming hall of the 50-metre pool to the stands of the sports halls. The walkway offers impressive views of the swimming lanes, the roof landscape and even the windmills along the Hoornse Vaart canal. This public passageway makes the Sportkwartier accessible and legible, even for non-athletes.

Sustainable, future-oriented and adaptive

The Sportkwartier will be an all-electric, energy-neutral complex, equipped with thermal energy storage, heat pumps, energy batteries and reuse of residual heat. Rainwater will be used to flush toilets, and green roofs and landscaping will help to reduce heat stress. The compact building structure has been designed with long-term flexibility in mind. New sports, changing usage requirements or future expansions can be easily accommodated, ensuring that the complex remains relevant in the long term.

Phased construction – maintaining sports facilities

Construction is expected to start in early 2027 and will be carried out in phases: first, all swimming facilities will be rebuilt, after which the existing accommodation will be demolished to make room for the sports halls and further development of the site. This will ensure that sports facilities remain available during construction. The current complex will also be dismantled in a circular manner, with valuable materials being given a second life in the new indoor sports facility. The new sports complex is scheduled for completion in early 2030.

Statistics

Name:	Swimming and Sports Complex Hoornse Vaart
Location:	Hertog Aalbrechtweg 4, 1823 DL Alkmaar
Program:	Sports complex: various swimming pools (50m, 25m, recreational); 2 sports halls, fitness centre, dance hall, offices
Period:	2026-2030
Status:	In Progress
Client:	WIND Design+Build

Credits

VenhoevenCS:	Manfred Wansink, Tom Padding, Maria Angeles Reinares, Lucille Daunay, Haya Ge, Louis van Wamel, Robin Boenning, Hanlin Stuer, Ruben Tjebbe Steinfort
Developer:	WIND Design+Build
Structural engineer:	W2N
Building physics:	Noorman
Lighting consultant:	Van der Laan
Water treatment:	Radiar (W), Polypla (WZ)
Images:	B1 Design