Courthouse Almelo

The Central Government Real Estate Agency, on behalf of the Council for the Judiciary, has awarded the new construction of the courthouse in Almelo to Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo, with the design by Paul de Ruiter Architects. After an extensive dialogue phase, the team's registration was judged best by the assessment committee. Construction is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The current building on Egbert Gorterstraat is outdated and no longer meets current requirements with regard to, among other things, energy management. The new design, which will be realized by Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo according to a design by Paul de Ruiter Architects and i29 interiorarchitects, will be built on the corner of Egbert Gorterstraat and Stationsstraat, opposite Almelo central station. It will be an authoritative, inviting and functional courthouse with a touch of Twente hospitality. The aim is to enable court employees and all its chain partners, such as lawyers, the press and the Public Prosecution Service, to do their work in a pleasant and safe manner.

The new court building will have more than 180 workplaces, including a number of workplaces for the Public Prosecution Service. In addition to six versatile rooms, there will also be six smaller sitting rooms around the wooden atrium. Two of these rooms also offer space for a separate public gallery. To emphasize the connection between the location and the textile history of Almelo, one of the smaller hearing rooms will be constructed with the carefully preserved Firmanten period room from the office of the former Ten Cate textile factory.

A cell complex will be built under the courthouse that is connected to the courtrooms and a parking garage with 72 parking spaces.

Design, Build & Maintenance

The registration of Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo was selected as the most advantageous, after an intensive assessment process based on sustainability, quality aspects and costs. A DBM (Design Build and Maintain) contract is used for the new court. This means that Dura Vermeer is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the building. The basis is a principle design developed by the National Real Estate Agency in collaboration with the Judiciary. Over the course of 2024, this design will be further developed by the project team, which includes Dura Vermeer Techniek, Paul de Ruiter Architects, DWA, Lucassen, Draaijer, ALBA Concepts, Meelis en Partners and Interior Architect I29. The new court is expected to open its doors in early 2028.