Walking past typical Maastricht architecture

Skatepark on the Maas

"The skate park on the Griend is a design of our own; the first design for the city of Maastricht when we moved here in 2005. For the design, we worked very closely with the skaters themselves. In a city with 'impossible pavement' (cobbles and cobblestones, ed.) for skating, we incorporated everything in this park that you don't find on the streets here. Think sleek concrete, curbs, ramps and more that will still allow you to get your money's worth as a skater."

Walking through the gardens of the Limburg Provincial House (+Ceramique)

"The Provincial Government of Limburg is definitely a favourite architectural hotspot. It is a standout on the city skyline for a reason. Designed by architect Gerard Snelder in the early 1980s, what many people don't know is that the garden near the Provincial House is also worth visiting. You can walk through it and see the building from all sides. The garden is home to several works of art by mostly Limburg artists. Moreover, the walk there is also great fun if you do it on the East side of the Maas(Wyck), as it leads you past the Céramique district, also known as Maastricht's architecture district, including architect Aldo Rossi's iconic Bonnefantenmuseum."

While shopping around the city, Nicole says you will also come across some very cool designs from Limburg. "Limburg designer Maurice Mentjens has designed a number of very special (shop) interiors, including for Kiki Niesten 's two shops on Stokstraat, shoe shop Kymyka on Minckelersstraat, restaurant Witloof on Bernardusstraat and the Bonnefantenmuseum's museum shop and restaurant Ipanema. Or the Maastricht architect duo Mourmans & Nypels. They also make cool things, as you can see on the façade of Wijnhandel Thiessen on Grote Gracht, for example. I am also a big fan of Boy Bastiaens' designs. He mainly focuses on designing logos, packaging and lettering. He has worked for big international brands and names such as Karl Lagerfeld, Philips, and Atelier LaDurance. He also designed our corporate identity and you can also see his designs in Maastricht in the logos of the Muziekgieterij, Kinsjasa (shoe shop), Grivec Bros. (jeans), Maastricht Photofestival (events) and Conflict (design), among others."

After or in between architecture sniffing, take a breather for a drink and a bite to eat? Nicole is happy to share some of her favourites for that too. " (Jazz) Café Take Five in Bredestraat is definitely one of my favourites because of its worldly and creative atmosphere. Café Zondag in Wyck has that too. Also very nice are Marres Kitchen and Bold rooftopbar on the roof of the Eiffel building in the Sphinx Quarter. And, last but not least, music venue the Muziekgieterij. This magical and contemporary 'music block' added in the industrial setting of the former Timmerfabriek is one of our latest completed projects in Maastricht that we have enjoyed working on. The Muziekgieterij 's programming is strong. Great for an evening of intimate listening, but also for going crazy."