Located close to the border between Germany and the Netherlands, the flat Westmünsterland region is veined with numerous streams and rivers. One of them is the River Berkel; alongside the river’s floodplain, a new cultural history centre has recently been built in the medieval core of the little town of Vreden.

This elongated building continues the small-scale of the existing development along the old town walls. The south front  faces towards the water meadow, parts of it stand on piles in the water of the city moat, which runs parallel to the river. On the opposite side a striking end building addresses a public square and the municipal public library that stands diagonally opposite.