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OZ as Architects

The office block was built on the area along the A9, close to the Amsterdam Medical Centre in Southeast Amsterdam. Situated in a prominent position in line with the motorway access road, the building functions as a showpiece for the adjacent enterprise park. The new office is the refreshing result of a combination of functionality, innovation, durability and aesthetic quality. The unfavourable environmental factors, such as traffic noise and exhaust fumes are blocked out by the building's thick glass shell, whose skilful structure adds aesthetic as well as functional value. With the help of a cleverly designed but highly simple ventilation system, the shell works as an energy-conserving climate and noise buffer. Furthermore, the glass façade is constructed at an ample distance from the actual façade thus creating an enclosed balcony area on every floor. Not only do personnel maintain visual contact with the outside world by means of this balcony area but they also experience an outdoor climate through a natural ventilation flow that feels like fresh air.


The 'high tech' aura of the austerely detailed climate façade in glass and aluminium forms a fascinating contrast with the Mediterranean image on the façade behind it. Spanish louvered doors made from natural pinewood slide in front of an alternating background of anthracite-coloured ceramic tiles and glass doors. While personnel in office blocks usually remain unseen behind anonymous office façades, here the individual plays an important role in the façade image. Not only do personnel influence the composition of the façade by manually determining the position of the louvered doors, they also help create a dynamic façade image by their presence on the balcony area.


The design of the construction consists of a cube, which is divided up as efficiently as possible. A highly compact facilities core is situated in the middle. The core contains two lifts, a double fire-escape staircase, pipe shafts and a toilet block and kitchenette per floor. The required fire escapes take up minimal surface area due to the fact that the single flights of stairs turn into one another. The eight floors all have the same floor plan with easily dividable office space around the core, with the exception of the ground floor and the first floor, which offer up some space to the double height entrance hall.


As much daylight as possible comes into the office via the floor-to-ceiling glass openings. All the glass openings are fitted as doors leading onto the enclosed balcony areas. The breadth of the louvered doors determines the measurements and alternating rhythmic patterns of open and closed parts on the façade wall. Two louvered doors of a breadth of 45 cm together make one glass door. The breadth of the piers between the glass openings is equal to the breadth of the glass door so that the piers have room to accommodate two louvered doors in the open position.


Consistent logic in taking measurements and making detailed plans makes the entire construction feasible with few details. Partial components are avoided because the measurements are, as far as possible, geared towards the standard size of the material. The size of the glass façade is a multiple of the size of the sheet that is produced by the manufacturer. In this way no glass is wasted in cutting, which would increase prices. As well as having functional and financial advantages this approach also produces an aesthetically pure image. Carefully and austerely designed details, logically carried through in the construction as well as the choice of natural materials and subdued colours complete this image. The result is an efficient, functional but also modern office block of the highest quality. The preconditions of the location are used to an optimum and aesthetic quality has been added to the schedule of requirements, which will offer future users an especially pleasurable work climate.


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