In terms of modern office design, an open-plan space that encourages the movement of its staff members may not necessarily be deemed forward-thinking. It’s a term that has been batted around interior design magazines, blogs and even research papers for a long time, and has become a working concept that we’re incredibly familiar with.
Often, it is a design reserved for tech start-ups or creative companies. So applying that concept to an office design for civil servants could be thought of as a bold move.
In its design for the Dutch municipality of Alkmaar, Amsterdam firm Proof of the Sum has brought the city’s some 600 employees together into one workspace.
“The challenge for the design is to turn the location into an appealing workplace for the 600 municipal officers,” said the firm, which describes its concept as following the “power of magnetism,” says the practice.
“In a time of digitalisation, remote working and proactive visibility close to the residents, the employees need a central and attractive base – a clear location in town full of dynamics and so magnetic that colleagues can't wait to meet each other there.”
Set inside a curving, 150-metre long building close to the Noordhollandsch Kanaal, the existing building – completed in 2001 – proved an interesting space to renovate.
Its five floors have been opened up through the use of mezzanine levels and balconies, while private areas are offered in the form of break-out spaces and meeting rooms.
“Employees and managers decide themselves how, where and with who they work; departments no longer have their own territories. And 200 workstations for 600 civil servants is quite ambitious as well,” says Proof of the Sum.
“Aspects such as distance, awareness, proximity and visual transparency play an important part. The challenge is to create a single place for 600 people, [while] creating room for the individual.”
In terms of colour and material palette, the team opted for muted tones, but accented with pink carpets and lush greenery.
Because of its shape and windows along the facade, the building benefits from ample light throughout the day. With its east-to-west orientation, office workers can witness both the sunrise and sunset – should they be there early and late enough.
“The rhythm of the day becomes tangible in the building; most clearly reflected in the movement of the rising and setting sun,” said the firm. “The two sharp points of the protracted volume offer splendid views and form characteristic ends to the floor plans.”
- Project:
- Alkmaar council offices
- Architect:
- Proof of the Sum
- Location:
- Alkmaar, the Netherlands
- Design team:
- Roy Pype, Stefano Barile, Ece Eren, Lucas Pissetti, Fenne Reinders-Folmer, Natalia Sulkowska, Nora Zechmeister
- Area:
- 4,500 sqm
- Completion:
- 2018