Goffert Station Area

The plan designed by CULD and VOA envisions a contrasting high-density / mid-rise neighbourhood situated along a railway line with a station and a new green axis — the “stations valley.” The urban design concept is composed of an ensemble of all-sided buildings that naturally integrate into their surroundings. The design distinguishes itself through a strong focus on materiality, human scale, active ground floors, and the integration of greenery. Parking facilities are clustered within a central mobility hub. At its core, the project seeks to create a lively, small-scale urban environment — a place where living, working, meeting, and leisure seamlessly come together. The architectural expression is refined and reserved.

The jury report highlights the following about the proposal:
“The positioning of the towers defines the area. The compactness of the hub and the placement of height accents create spatial diversity and variation in block sizes. The plans are developed on all sides, establishing a relationship with Neerbosch. […] The vertical articulation of the towers enhances the experience at street level. […] Across all buildings, the emphasis on the ground floor and human scale results in a pleasant environment. […] The design of the parking facility’s façades is well executed. The exterior staircase is a positive feature, particularly in connection with sports activities. […] The ground-floor program is a valuable addition.”

In the Goffert Station Area, it is not architecture but landscape that forms the foundation of the urban design. From a park-like framework, buildings of varying sizes and scales are positioned to create a permeable neighbourhood with green courtyards, a central “stations valley,” and informal alleys. The buildings are carefully arranged around public spaces that encourage interaction and are connected through a fine-grained pedestrian network. Ecological connections, water management, and biodiversity are integral components of the design. To achieve this, the design team worked in close collaboration with engineering firm ARUP.

The architecture by CULD and VOA is driven by interaction between buildings and the public realm. Tall, transparent ground floors, arcades, numerous street-facing entrances, and sculptural balconies create a lively and engaging streetscape. Each building stands as a distinct entity while contributing to a harmonious whole. Within the blocks, a sense of intimacy prevails, featuring urban houses and green courtyards, while height accents near the station and along Graafseweg establish a recognizable urban silhouette. The plan is further enriched by several striking architectural elements, including the expressively designed mobility hub and a transparent bicycle pavilion.

The Goffert Station Area is envisioned as a neighbourhood for all residents of Nijmegen. The program is highly diverse, offering a wide range of housing types — from social and mid-range rental homes to owner-occupied residences, short-stay apartments, and care housing for people with dementia. Living, working, and amenities are deliberately interwoven, creating an inclusive and vibrant urban fabric. At street level, the building plinths accommodate strategically placed functions such as cafés and restaurants, sports facilities, a community centre, daycare, and workspaces. These uses activate the public realm, encourage social interaction, and make the district attractive not only for its residents but also for visitors and neighbouring areas such as Neerbosch-Oost and the Noviotech Campus. Through careful attention to scale, programming, and social connectivity, the new district will become a place where people live together, meet, and truly feel at home.

The mobility concept is founded on the STOMP principle, prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transport. A mobility hub at the edge of the development area ensures that the neighbourhood remains largely car-free. More than just a parking facility, the hub serves as both an architectural landmark and a community amenity. At street level, it houses a CrossFit space and sports facilities that extend into the public realm. An iconic exterior staircase winds up along the façade to the roof, inviting residents and visitors to run, exercise, or simply enjoy the view. The rooftop itself functions as a public sports and meeting area, reinforcing the social vibrancy and sense of community within the district.

The façade of the mobility hub is not only the largest but also the most distinctive element of the plan. Its connection to the region’s brick architecture is expressed through gabion walls filled with residual materials from the nearby brick industry — including offcuts, broken bricks, and misfired pieces. Old steel gas pipes are repurposed to create viewing openings that form a grid of light points at night. The gabion structure is robust, helps contain traffic noise, and provides an ideal foundation for climbing plants and small animal habitats.