Mustafa Nicanci

Glaswijk

Back to the past, forward to the future  

 

Glaswijk is a design proposal for the transformation of the former Royal Glass Factory site in Leerdam. Rooted in a fascination with the relationship between living, working, and industrial architecture, the project explores how historic production grounds can be re-embedded into the urban fabric. For over a century, the glass factory has acted as a visual and social anchor in the city, providing the foundation for a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional factory district. 

In today's urban landscape, where boundaries between functions are dissolving and the need for sustainable, circular and inclusive development grows, Glaswijk offers a perspective on transformation that bridges heritage and future. As the factory's original function has diminished, the city around it has expanded, creating sharp divisions between the site and adjacent neighborhoods. These barriers, both physical and symbolic, have resulted in underused buffer zones that contribute little to the quality of public space. 

Glaswijk proposes a fundamental reconfiguration: rather than erasing the factory, it is reshaped into a resilient production hub, interwoven with housing, workspaces, and communal amenities. The project introduces a new typology of urban living, compact, flexible, and energy efficient homes directly connected to workshops, shared facilities, and collective outdoor spaces. This creates an environment where proximity, sustainability, and community form the core of daily life. 

Aligned with the concept of urban manufacturing, production adapted to the scale and structure of the city, Glaswijk reimagines how industrial functions can coexist within a livable, vibrant district. The aim is not nostalgia, but a forward-looking neighborhood where identity, craftsmanship, and spatial quality converge. 

By doing so, Glaswijk transforms Leerdam's industrial legacy into a foundation for a socially connected, sustainable, and future oriented urban quarter. 

Graduation date: 30 June 2025 
Graduation committee: Eric Frijters (mentor), Vibeke Gieskes, Milad Pallesh 
Additional members for the exam: Bastiaan Jongerius, Lisette Plouvier