Photographer Norbert van Onna Captures the Transformation of Strijp S/T/R

For more than thirty years, architectural photographer Norbert van Onna has documented the remarkable transformation of the former industrial terrain Strijp S/T/R in Eindhoven — from a restricted Philips factory area into a vibrant cultural and creative district.

In the 1990s, when Philips gradually scaled down operations in Eindhoven and large industrial sites fell into disuse, Van Onna began photographing the iconic buildings on Strijp S, Strijp T and Strijp R. Back then, access was limited — the area was often referred to as a “forbidden city” because entry was restricted to Philips personnel and special permission was required.

Thanks to negotiations with Philips, Van Onna gained access and started building a visual archive of the transformation. Over the decades, many monumental factory structures — such as the Klokgebouw, the Veemgebouw, and the industrial complexes known as Hoge Rug — were preserved and repurposed for new uses, including creative studios, housing, cafés, and cultural venues.

Today Strijp-S is a bustling mixed-use neighbourhood where former production halls house artists, designers, residents, and events spaces, reflecting Eindhoven’s evolution into a dynamic hub of culture, design, and urban living.

Van Onna’s extensive photographic record not only preserves the industrial heritage of Strijp but also tells a larger story of urban reinvention through vision, collaboration, and creative reuse.

Read the full article on Brabant Cultureel for more background and photographs of this remarkable transformation.