Huis aan de Haven

Anchored in Elegance

Powerhouse Company Delivers Huis aan de Haven: A New Landmark in Leeuwarden’s New Urban District

On the southern edge of Leeuwarden, the Huis aan de Haven residential building has been completed. Designed by Powerhouse Company for MWPO and built by Reitsma Bouw, it serves as a striking landmark in Middelsee, the newest urban development in the city. Surrounded by water and greenery, the area offers an authentic northern Dutch atmosphere. With its modern appearance and strategic location, the apartment complex presents a contemporary interpretation of the region’s maritime identity.

A contemporary interpretation of a dockside building
The materials used align seamlessly with Middelsee’s design quality framework, and specifically that of Havenstad – the northern part of Middelsee, where the marina is a central feature. Huis aan de Haven is designed as a 21st-century interpretation of the traditional dockside building. The combination of the brick volume with elegant materials such as powder-coated steel and anodized aluminum creates a metropolitan harbor aesthetic, inspired by a historic port city but realized in a modern form. Generous window openings, deep reveals, and a rhythmic façade give the building a strong architectural identity that feels both contemporary and connected to its surroundings. Positioned at the entrance to the new district, it serves as a gateway and a nod to the site’s historical roots.

‘By using brick, steel and aluminum we struck a balance between robustness and refinement, allowing the building to reflect the maritime identity of the site in a contemporary way.’

– Stefan Prins, Partner Architect at Powerhouse Company

Waterfront living, embraced by nature
Huis aan de Haven comprises 90 residences, ranging from city apartments and duplex houses with workspaces to penthouses with large rooftop gardens. The building’s design encourages social interaction among residents, whether it’s a quick coffee in the waterside café or a relaxing moment in the shared courtyard.

The outdoor spaces, designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design, emphasize the strong connection between interior and exterior that is central to the overall design. The shared courtyard atop the parking garage creates a peaceful oasis. Crowning the building, the penthouses feature spacious, terraced rooftops that rise in a green, stepped formation, providing views of the water, the cityscape, and the inner garden.

Outdoor space has also been thoughtfully integrated at the rear, where ground-floor apartments feature a traditional Frisian 'overtuin' – a front garden uniquely positioned across the street from the home. In this way, Huis aan de Haven provides residents with access to both private and shared outdoor areas, while the landscape connects the building to its surroundings in a natural and organic way.

‘Folding glass doors connect the penthouses with their terraces, making outdoor living an extension of the interior.’

– Stefan de Meijer, Engineering Project Leader at Powerhouse Company