New Build Intratuin, Zwolle (the Netherlands) 1999

Intratuin, Zwolle, is a unique garden center that combines shopping and parking in a single building.

The 16,000 m² site was too small to accommodate the desired 13,000 m² of retail space and 500 parking spaces. To solve this, a half-basement parking garage was built, accommodating up to 450 cars. Combined with the on-site parking, this exceeds the required parking capacity.

The parking garage's façade features light-colored precast concrete elements with large arched openings. Fan grills provide a lightweight cladding, contrasting with the sleek glass elements above.

The main entrance is located forward of the garden center's central front elevation and forms a conservatory-like entrance area. This area is set at right angles to the other greenhouses and is topped by an additional layer of office accommodation. The extra-long, shallow, moving walkways leading to the next level and the ample retail space are located in this spacious, 15 x 15 meter, entrance area. Goods reception and dispatch are also available at this level.

Intratuin Zwolle prioritizes a pleasant shopping experience for both customers and plants. The high-specification environmental installations include a rainwater irrigation system. Inside the large greenhouses, smaller concessions maintain a human scale. The garden cafe is beautifully decorated, and even the parking garage offers a pleasant experience with natural light, fresh air, wide parking bays, and legal graffiti art.

Shopping at Intratuin Zwolle is a high-quality experience in all aspects.