Project KV13: Former Distribution Substation Re-energized as Healthcare Center
19.10.2020
Project KV13: Former Distribution Substation Re-energized as Healthcare Center
19.10.2020
From 1952 to 2016, the KV13 electrical distribution substation provided electricity for the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. After it was decommissioned, the KV13 building was bought by two doctors and transformed into a medical center serving Dordrecht, while preserving its original industrial authenticity.
Blom & Blom was asked to provide the finishing touch - interior lighting that reflected the industrial style of the former powerhouse. Bridging history and contemporary design, the KV13 project was an ideal challenge to do what we do best.
The Rhino Chandeliers - a perfect fit for the spacious KV13 waiting room
The Sea Turtle - snug in the stairwell
History
The original architect for the KV13 Distribution Substation was G. Hamerpagt (1899 - 1965) who also specialized in public utility construction. The KV13 substation (1949) was originally part of the local electricity grid, together with two other substations - also built along the Oranjelaan in Dordrecht. The KV13 was decommissioned in 2016.
And, here’s where the industrial lighting comes in…
The KV13 building has recently been restored with full respect for its past by RoosRos Architects, keeping as much of the original materials and design as possible. It was important for the new owners that you could still see and feel the history of the building both inside and out. It is now an amazing space where the custom made details and elements from the original substation live on in the new healthcare facility.
Blom & Blom was asked to provide the finishing touch - interior lighting that reflected the industrial style of the former powerhouse. For us, it was a challenge to determine just the right amount of light, not too bright or too dark. For example, there needed to be functional lighting in the office areas and more subdued lighting in the waiting room. Together with the lighting solutions company Lumenplan, we calculated the right amount of light that would be needed for each of the interior spaces. We then explored how we could meet those lighting needs with fixtures from our Heritage Collection.
The result was a combination of eye catching pieces incorporating...
An art installation composed of our Puma lights in the KV13 entrée
The Rhino Chandelier in the KV13 waiting room - bold dimension in balance
Our Sea Turtle cage lamps - lighting up the corridors
Three Armadillos in cascade - crowning physiotherapist Fysico's waiting room
Black Rhinos aligned - strong wall accents for Fysico's workout room
The Komodo Dragon - striking wall-mounted lamp for Fysico that can be rotated
And the final result!
The overall interplay of the fixtures we chose is intriguing, tracing the history of the KV13 substation and blending seamlessly as accent points throughout the interior spaces.
We are very happy and proud to have been part of this beautiful and exciting project - sharing our passion with our clients for unique lighting fixtures - each epic in origin, design and with its own story to tell.
If you are ever in Dordrecht, we would encourage you to stroll the Oranjelaan and have a peek inside the new KV13. We think you’ll love it!
Till next time,
Blom & Blom