In 1999 our office was granted the assignment for the development of an office building in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The office building was to have a floor space of 8,000 m2. This was later increased to 10,000 m2.
Half of this floor space was to be used by a the company, which was also the principal. The other half had to be available for lease in the real estate market. The design shows the development of specific spaces within a global and flexible system. We perceived the development of specific spaces as: creating spatial differences and qualities, such as office gardens, meeting places, computer areas etc. The standard for these specific spatial qualities should be created by using architectonic and architectural steps. At first this meant no plans for interior and decoration, but ideas that could present a variety of space. It turned into a design experiment which filled the computers with a multitude of sketches and 3D-models.
concept
The office building was designed from the idea that at both ends of the office building the floor height is decreased, so more m2 can be created. These steps are important for qualitative differentiation or for perception as component of the economy. Compared to three floors in the middle part, there will now be four.In addition, these floors have open spaces which will increase the spatial quality (additional communication between the floors). The result of these ideas is that, with a similar number of m2, we will see several (economic) qualities happening. The building ‘Community of Emptiness' is acquired by a continuous connection of floors. This creates slight ramps, differentiated constructions (a section disappears by applying open web technique at the ends of the building) and mezzanines with open spaces.
In the end the office building was developed 100% for the market. The principal indicated that he wouldn't move in himself, if it could be sold for a good price. This is one of the characteristics of office development for the market. The tenant is unknown.
The building has a generic form because of the continuation of the spaces, within which are specific spatial qualities for office gardens with open spaces and extra stairs, standard office spaces at the outside walls and office cocoons on the inside, close to the core of the building. The gross/net proportion of the office is 88%.
Last Updated on Friday, 02 December 2011 12:36
brainpark t3
principal: Blauwhoed Vastgoed Rotterdam design: 2005 cooperation with Studio Acht
Brainpark T3 offices 15.000 m2
Last Updated on Monday, 28 November 2011 13:51
silent moving
principal: Kikx development design:2007 construction: 2012
In 2006 we were granted the assignment to develop an office building for the market with a floor space of 2400 m2. place Roosendaal Netherlands
As was the case with the office building Community of Emptiness here, too, the design consisted of the themes flexibility, specific spatial difference and economical limiting conditions, such as a favourable gross-net proportion etc.). The design process consisted of a great variety of models with more attention for construction, installation space and technique.
It was attempted in the design, to develop construction and installation technique in relation to each other. The stability of the building stems from the chosen steel construction in the outer wall. This makes it easy to keep the lay-out of the inner space flexible; stairs and elevators can be installed anywhere in the building. The installation space, which normally is situated completely below the floors, is now partly halved. This results in extra high spaces in certain areas. Part of the pipes run alongside the outer wall, parallel to the construction. The exhaust pipe for hot air is concentrated in the spaces where there is a ceiling.
