In Meerstad, a neighborhood in the Dutch city of Groningen, De Zwarte Hond is designing a multi-use supermarket made entirely of wood. Called the SuperHub, the project is labeled as a sustainable and flexible building that is also a host to a variety of social functions.  

Meerstad, which was added to the municipality of Groningen in 2017, is known for its spaciousness, greenery, and the newly constructed Woldmeer, a lake for recreation. The focus of the area is on healthy living and sustainability. The neighborhood is also growing, as it anticipates the construction of around 5,000 homes over the next 25 years. To meet the needs of Meerstad’s expansion, De Zwarte Hond was tasked with designing a facilities cluster that could grow with the district. It was envisioned to be the heart of the changing area, where people not only did their shopping but also come together and spend time. 

The building is transparent and all-sided, offering impressive views of a nearby new park and the lake. Its location at the intersection of important access and recreational routes makes it easy to reach from all sides. The SuperHub features a café with a spacious terrace, a health center, and a central area forms a hub for collecting parcels. According to the architects, the building can be flexibly divided to accommodate other functions in the future, such as a community center and even homes. 

The structure consists of a diagonal grid of cross-shaped curved supports. The shape of the support changes from a column to a curved beam. Its supporting frame is also made of wood. The building grid includes several roof openings that bring extra light into the center of the space. The wooden roof has an overhang of 5.4 meters, which provides sun protection. It also features solar panels and roof plantings for bees and insects. An energy-efficient indoor climate is ensured through an air treatment system and an underground thermal energy storage system. Additionally, the building is prefabricated, which allows for a short construction time. 

“Superhub is a pioneering building that can grow with the neighborhood,” said Erik Roerdink, an architecture partner at De Zwarte Hond. “It provides not only basic necessities but also social opportunities, excitement, and entertainment.”

The SuperHub is expected to be completed by midsummer 2022.