Huis aan de Haven | Powerhouse Company

On the southern edge of Leeuwarden, the Huis aan de Haven residential building has been completed. Designed by Powerhouse Company for MWPO and built by Reitsma Bouw, it serves as a striking landmark in Middelsee, the newest urban development in the city. Surrounded by water and greenery, the area offers an authentic northern Dutch atmosphere. With its modern appearance and strategic location, the apartment complex presents a contemporary interpretation of the region’s maritime identity.

The materials used align seamlessly with Middelsee’s design quality framework, and specifically that of Havenstad – the northern part of Middelsee, where the marina is a central feature. Huis aan de Haven is designed as a 21st-century interpretation of the traditional dockside building. The combination of the brick volume with elegant materials such as powder-coated steel and anodized aluminum creates a metropolitan harbor aesthetic, inspired by a historic port city but realized in a modern form. Generous window openings, deep reveals, and a
rhythmic façade give the building a strong architectural identity that feels both contemporary and connected to its surroundings. Positioned at the entrance to the new district, it serves as a gateway and a nod to the site’s historical roots.

Waterfront living, embraced by nature
Huis aan de Haven comprises 90 residences, ranging from city apartments and duplex houses with workspaces to penthouses with large rooftop gardens. The building’s design encourages social interaction among residents, whether it’s a quick coffee in the waterside café or a relaxing moment in the shared courtyard.
The outdoor spaces, designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design, emphasize the strong connection between interior and exterior that is central to the overall design. The shared courtyard atop the parking garage creates a peaceful oasis.

Crowning the building, the penthouses feature spacious, terraced rooftops that  rise in a green, stepped formation, providing views of the water, the cityscape, and the inner garden.

Outdoor space has also been thoughtfully integrated at the rear, where ground- floor apartments feature a traditional Frisian 'overtuin' – a front garden uniquely positioned across the street from the home. In this way, Huis aan de Haven provides residents with access to both private and shared outdoor areas, while the landscape connects the building to its surroundings in a natural and organic way.

Design team: Stefan Prins (Partner in charge), Stefan de Meijer, Daphne Delissen, Daan Masmeijer, Erwin van Strien, Florian Anschober, Judith Pelicaan, Kaan Kalak, Rostislav Krones, Sanja Kralj, Willem van de Vorle, Yaxin Jian

Photography: Sebastian van Damme