principal: AM Vastgoed      design:1999

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%.