Art Collective De Strakke Hand Completes Unique Mural on Eneco’s Heat Buffer in Utrecht

Art Collective De Strakke Hand Completes Unique Mural on Eneco’s Heat Buffer in Utrecht

(IN BRIEF) Art collective De Strakke Hand has finished a unique mural on Eneco’s new heat buffer in Rijnsweerd, Utrecht. Inspired by a 19th-century watercolour by J.W. Wisselingh, the design was selected with input from local residents to help the buffer blend into its surroundings.

Eneco collaborated with the community, who suggested using the historical artwork. The mural, spanning 60 meters wide and 17 meters high, was painted using traditional techniques to create a classical appearance.

The heat buffer, operational later this year, will manage peak heat demand for local residents and businesses, reducing gas usage and CO2 emissions. This project is part of Eneco’s sustainable district heating roadmap, with five buffers expected to be fully operational by late 2024.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROTTERDAM, 25-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — This week, art collective De Strakke Hand completed a distinctive mural on Eneco’s new heat buffer in Rijnsweerd, Utrecht. The design, inspired by a 19th-century watercolour by J.W. Wisselingh, was selected with input from local residents to help the buffer blend into its surroundings.

Community Involvement: Eneco engaged with Rijnsweerd residents through a series of meetings to gather input on the mural’s design. The community suggested collaborating with De Strakke Hand and using Wisselingh’s nature scene as a foundation. The result is a 60-meter wide, 17-meter high mural that covers the entire exterior of the buffer.

Artistic Process: De Strakke Hand founder Michiel Meulemans highlighted the mural’s uniqueness, noting that the collective used traditional techniques by mixing primary colours directly on the buffer to achieve a classical look. The mural was painted in sections to ensure seamless transitions between each part.

Project Collaboration: Mart Scheepers, the project’s stakeholder engagement manager, expressed pride in the mural and gratitude for the community’s involvement. Coordination with Eneco and the Utrecht municipal authorities began in 2020 to integrate the buffer into its environment effectively.

Operational Benefits: The heat buffer, set to become operational later this year, will manage peak heat demand for local residents and businesses connected to Utrecht’s heating grid. This reduces gas usage and CO2 emissions, enhancing energy efficiency. The Rijnsweerd buffer is one of five in the area, part of Eneco’s sustainable district heating roadmap, expected to be fully operational by the final quarter of 2024.

For more information about Eneco’s heat buffers, visit Eneco’s website.

Media Contact:

Mirjam Achthoven
Woordvoerder
mirjam.achthoven@eneco.com
+31639666535

SOURCE: Eneco