The Dutch landscape has been transformed over hundreds of years. The landscape has become a technical construction. Dikes, locks and pumping-stations are to be seen everywhere in the country. This specific way of dealing with the landscape has protected the Dutchman in such way that he can live safely behind the dikes and the dunes. As a result borders between landscape and sea were decisively fixed, and the sea was kept away from the land as much as possible. Since the building of the Oosterschelde dike construction, a new approach towards water management came up. This fabulous Oosterschelde construction as a water machine is a flexible mechanism. This dike construction makes use of the water tide, letting through water on large scale to both sides. On the other hand the dike will be closed by dangerous high sea levels. These flexible and technical way of handling with sea and landscape has brought about a fundamental change. The inner water landscape behind the dike for example is transformed in a new natural habitat. This new condition of the environments was changed through mixing salty and sweet water. By this adaptable approach the Dutch found a new way for cultivation of their land. Simultaneously, and in broader sense a changed environment influences not only the Dutch but all human beings. We call this way of existence the universal feedback loop of living: U.F.O.L
Programm for the design of the World Sustainability Centre
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
woubrugge living
principal: Meerschip BV completion: 2002
2 apparment blocks on a dutch dike near the water. different types of housing
