Rotterdam, 4000 m2 refurbishment of one of most well-know architectural offices in the world. Efficient flexibility through fixed elements. Long tables suitable for 6 to 12 team members, Open office lay-out on south side, cell-office structure on north side, transparent copy room, server room & other amenities placed in middle in such a way that overall spaciousness is restored. Cooling & heating through ceiling. Hidden fire-wall & curtains to maintain one continuous space & overview. High-end furniture & finishing combined with rough OMA-style approach such as large Plywood sliding doors and industrial stairs covered with sandblasted glass. Close study of all (future) requirements resulted in a layout featuring enclosed offices on one side and open plan offices on the other side. In the middle a service zone with all program such as toilets, server rooms, pantry’s and storage room for supplies is kept without compromising the transparency of the total floor. The approach allows for a nice view, high spatial – & light quality and is still 50% more efficient and more flexible. Flexibility is achieved through big fixed workbenches with only 4 legs to be able to shift more/less people in one row and fits 6 – 12 people, the most common team size within the office. Bigger teams could expand or shrink by adding/subtracting bays. Suspended lighting gives the impression of a “kitchen-table” feel, creates a more pleasant lighting effect and ties each table more to itself. By avoiding shifting tables good lighting quality and proper cooling could be guaranteed. Taking out the original ‘central core’, creating a hole in the floor with a central staircase enhanced transparency, created a better overview and ensured a good connection to the lower floor. By opening it up to the south side and using big workbenches, more light was able to enter the floor. Full transparent glass separation of cell offices in the back allows this light to set through the floor and ensures overview and transparency from façade to façade. The reception is connected to a ‘meeting centre’ with the office for PR and 4 meeting rooms to create a proper place to meet guests and secure control over confidential projects & copyrights. The ‘Look & Feel’ is a “no nonsense’ & “corporate’ office-style using only the colours white, black and grey instead of the “artistic” or “all white” environment most architectural offices intend to have. The wooden walls, bookshelves & big wooden sliding doors make the office-interior feel more rich & friendly. The wooden sliding doors can be combined into one big wall to display projects. Also the public domain in the office building was designed by RE architects to create a rich, pleasant and inviting space suitable for the type of guest O.M.A. could expect. Using a different type of coloured glass on each floor yet dramatized by using indirect lighting softens the existing concrete pattern by Hugh Maaskant. Removing floors & existing structures opened up the space and exposed the spacious quality of the lobby-space.
