Tomorrow the Geurt Brinkgrevebokaal 2016 will be awarded and B.Amsterdam is one of the 3 nominees. The prize is a recognition from the Municipality of Amsterdam for the best initiatives in the fields of transformation and redevelopment.
B.Amsterdam is a pioneering business environment for innovative entrepreneurship, co-designed by NEXT architects. They transformed a large, empty office building of 18,000 m2 into an ecosystem with numerous facilities that connect startups, creative entrepreneurs and established companies.
But what exactly makes this initiative so successful? The way we work is changing rapidly; and along with it our needs and how we manage businesses is changing as well.
The lines between work and life are blurring in a context where technology, flexibility, creative entrepreneurship, connecting and exchanging knowledge play a key role, often supported by the opportunities of digital communication.
B.Amsterdam is a design by NEXT architects, together with Studio Fabrick, B. Amsterdam, SKEPP and many others. This office concept responds to the current developments by designing the building as a city. ‘The building as a city’ is an ecosystem; it grows organically and everything is available 24/7: work, sports, hospitality and events.
For creative entrepreneurs and startups this is much more than a workplace: it is a complete living environment where they can get inspired and meet new people to boost their businesses. NEXT strengthened this experience of the building through a number of strategic interventions.
The new entrance, for instance, is all about connecting. From a passageway to enter/exit the building, it has now become a destination in its own right: a place to meet and be inspired. The same can be said of the design for restaurant Bureau: a unique location on the building’s rooftop.
In a large, creative hangar with a panoramic view over the city, people can enjoy a casual lunch or dinner. The green roof-park provides the restaurant with fresh vegetables and is an ideal event location. The creation of places that facilitate and stimulate interaction is exactly what distinguished NEXT’s practice.
“A design should, above all, add value to the way we experience the place,” tells Marijn Schenk, architect and NEXT partner. The nomination for the Geurt Brinkgrevebokaal underlines the special character of this transformation project: from a worn-out office building into a vibrant ecosystem.
On 7 December, the jury president Susan Lammers, director of the Netherlands Agency for Cultural Heritage, will announce the award’s winner during De Prijzen 2016. And yes, the ceremony is taking place at: B.Amsterdam. Source by NEXT architects.
- Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Architect: NEXT architects
- Project Team:MarijnSchenk, Mark Spijkerman, Arno Kwint and DouweStrating
- Collaborator/Associate: Guus Meulendijks (B.Amsterdam) / Luuk van der Broek (Collaboration-O)
- Advisor construction: Van Rossum, Amsterdam
- Building technic: Peutz, Zoetermeer
- Main contractor: Retail Bouw Nederland, Doetinchem
- Installations: Gouweloos Electrotechniek BV / Roodenburg Installatiebedrijf BV
- Client: Riekerpolder Investment VOF
- Area: 18.000 m2
- Completion: September 2016
- Photographs: Francisco Nogueira, Courtesy of NEXT
