Step 2 of 5

The Big Transformation

Related Images

  • Fig. 1. Drawing of the new complex – _Leidsch Dagblad_ 5-8-1980.
  • Fig. 2. The ground floor with sliding wall – Local newspaper _Morspraat_, October 1981.
  • Fig. 3. The second floor with the kitchen where cooking lessons were taught. – Local newspaper _Morspraat_, October 1981.
  • Fig. 4. The attic with bar - Local newspaper _Morspraat_, October 1981.

In 1979 plans were made to rigorously renovate Het Mierennest. The drawing of the new complex was made by architect duo H. van Hunnink and J. Lambrechts (fig. 1). The most important change was the addition of a new second floor on top of the already existing building. The initial plan was to tear down the surrounding houses to create more space, but the municipality did not approve of this. A new second floor was the solution.Leids Dagblad, 5-8-1980, pagina 3, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken, historische kranten

After some time, the old building of Het Mierennest proved to be unsuitable to be a community center. “You would constantly be in each other’s way,” staff members and members of the house board Marjo Blok and Leny Willemsen recounted. “Furthermore, it was always very dark, the sewers gave off a bad stench and it was very noisy.” In the newly improved Mierennest, they hoped for better times. Leidsch Dagblad, 19-9-1981, pagina 3, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken, historische kranten

In order to finance the renovation of Het Mierennest, the government subsidized over half a million guilders.Leids Dagblad, 5-8-1980, pagina 3, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken, historische krantenResidents of the Transvaal neighborhood were able to review the design of the renovation and give their comments.

The building plans came down to the following: all of the inner walls as well as the façade were to be torn down. The ceilings would be lowered to create space for an extra floor. The ground floor would become one big room with a sliding wall inside, which can be seen in figure 2. In that manner, two different activities could be held at the same time, or the room could be used to host one larger activity. The second floor contained one large arts and crafts room and two smaller spaces. Besides that, it was also possible to follow cooking classes. A bar was installed in the attic, and disco parties were held there once a month for the local youth. The rooms were supposed to have an open character to make the community center more accessible and attractive to visit.