Strijp-S

At Strijp-S in Eindhoven, an ‘Open City’ emerges through West 8’s phase 4 masterplan, delivering 1,500 homes in a vibrant urban village as a creative heart for Brainport NL. The Talking Towers anchor the Superblock, rising above active ground floors, open courtyards, and public spaces designed to foster community and creativity.

Across from the Philips factories, school and village, MKA, Jasper Smits Architects, Arons & Gelauff, and Office Winhov created a diverse Superblock, each contributing unique materials, architecture, and programs. With cars moved underground, West 8’s green spaces take center stage. This phase introduces a new product for Strijp-S: ground-level city homes and studio lofts with street-facing entrances adding to the area’s dynamic, creative spirit.

MKA designed two complementary sculptural towers: Spark, a warm bold monolith inspired by early modern brickwork, and EXO with a refined exoskeleton creating an intermediate space with a diverse range of balconies and loggias that mediates views, privacy and sun exposure.

Spark
Spark comprises 56 apartments for sale, including three exclusive penthouses, with living areas ranging from approximately 49 to 137 m². The building’s sculptural brick facade features refined ornamentation, giving it a monumental presence that bridges the contemporary character of Strijp-S with the historic Philipsdorp — a facade rich in subtle details that reveal themselves on closer inspection. Each apartment has a generous balcony, and large windows bring in abundant daylight for a spacious feel. The ground floor opens onto a main entrance facing a quiet, car-free green square, with a shared city garden for residents to relax and meet. On the 12th floor, at 40 metres height, three exclusive penthouses (118, 130 and over 145 m²) offer sweeping views over the historic Philipsdorp and lively Strijp-S, generous outdoor space of 15 to 18 m², two or three large bedrooms, and bathrooms that can be laid out to the resident’s own wishes. Spark is fully gas-free and connected to a sustainable energy system for heating, cooling and hot water. Underfloor heating and cooling is combined with high-performance insulation, heat recovery and excellent insulating glazing. The building is designed according to Nearly Energy Neutral (BENG) building principles, with primary energy use at least 10% below national new-build requirements, and solar-shading glazing limits overheating without compromising daylight or views.

EXO
EXO forms the counterpart to Spark within the Talking Towers Superblock. Its refined exoskeleton creates an intermediate space with a diverse range of balconies and loggias that mediates views, privacy and sun exposure. Thanks to its subtle inclined construction, residents enjoy a panoramic view, more sunlight in the interior area, and an attractive entryway via the arcade. The building’s architecture matches beautifully with the other buildings in the Superblock, comprising 124 rental apartments, with construction underway and rental starting mid-2027.