The well known Utrecht shopping center Hoog Catharijne was a backbreaking mega-project during its construction in the sixties. A functional answer to an urban architectural question, which has harvested much criticism as well as praise throughout the years.

Elements that repeat themselves in many comments are the enormous scale and the complicated structure of the complex, often linked to the lack of color. A great deal of work has gone into improving this last aspect in the urban environment in recent years. The grayness of concrete fascias has made way for subtle color combinations. It can be no coincidence that this facelift falls together with far reaching plans from the Utrecht city administration to drastically restructure the inner city. The development of urban architectural views has not stood still in the course of the last thirty years.

To satisfy the need to give the building more allure in the short term, and accentuate the architectural sections more clearly, Sikkens Color Advice Office was commissioned to develop a well justified and carefully executed color plan. With assistance from dr. E. Taverne, professor of art history at the RU Groningen, an analysis was made of the urban architectural situation, expressed in several clear basic assumptions. Based on this Theo van Veen, colorist from the Akzo Nobel Coatings Aesthetic Center, designed an integral color plan which, after various slight modifications, can finally count on broad support from the competent government bodies.

The large scale project was executed in phases by four painting companies - Vonk, Volendams Schildersbedrijf, HVR and Rutges - using Sikkens paint systems.