ARCHITECTURE
Amsterdam's Goede Doelen Loterijen HQ
In the Netherlands, national charity lotteries raise hundreds of millions of Euros for good causes.
10 November, 2016
In Amsterdam, the firm which operates some of those lotteries is getting a new home.
Near the business district on the south side of Amsterdam, a new project promises to be among the most sustainable renovated buildings in all of the Netherlands – and among the most attractive, with a rooftop and courtyard under a canopy of aluminium leaves.
The Goede Doelen Loterijen headquarters is home to three of the charity lotteries the firm operates, with about 500 employees at some 15 locations overall. The Dutch organization wanted to boost collaboration and efficiency with space for everyone, so it chose a long-abandoned vacant building constructed in 1972 for its new home.
The architectural plan adds a flat "floor" to the four-story former insurance company, located where an office district meets the Princess Irene residential area – an extra floor that is meant to support solar panels, a rainwater retention system, and the sparkling aluminium leaves.
The Goede Doelen Loterijen headquarters is home to three of the charity lotteries the firm operates, with about 500 employees at some 15 locations overall. The Dutch organization wanted to boost collaboration and efficiency with space for everyone, so it chose a long-abandoned vacant building constructed in 1972 for its new home.
The architectural plan adds a flat "floor" to the four-story former insurance company, located where an office district meets the Princess Irene residential area – an extra floor that is meant to support solar panels, a rainwater retention system, and the sparkling aluminium leaves.
Image: Benthem Crouwel
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The lotteries have a demanding sustainability agenda and a desire to achieve the highest possible sustainability label, namely a BREEAM 'Outstanding' rating, The design meets this requirement thanks to the choice of a cross laminated timber roof, with many skylights allowing for natural light and a maximum amount of solar panels on the roof.
Van der Made and the Benthem Crouwel Architects team will expand the 7,900 square meter facility to more than 12,000 m² with a roof surface of 1,322 m². That surface is designed to extend beyond the building into a courtyard that company employees helped design in workshops with Benthem Crouwel.
The roof is supported by six columns – three large, three small – that are shaped like trees. On that roof, the architects plan to install 6,800 leaves made of polished aluminium to create a dazzling yet organic canopy, with an interplay of light and shadow that resembles the dappled light filtering through trees.
The roof is supported by six columns – three large, three small – that are shaped like trees. On that roof, the architects plan to install 6,800 leaves made of polished aluminium to create a dazzling yet organic canopy, with an interplay of light and shadow that resembles the dappled light filtering through trees.
Images: Benthem Crouwel
The colors and brightness change with time and season, or depend on where a person is within the facility or in the surrounding neighborhood with its own trees and shrubbery. The shimmering forest layer covers a new roof made with crosslaminated timber slabs, with skylights to flood light into offices below. It also incorporates 863 black solar panels – generating enough power for 80 households per year – and a large rooftop herb garden that connects community groups with their office neighbors. A rainwater collection system supports the garden, sprinkler system, and the building's flushing needs.
The office floors surround an atrium space with a mix of partially closed meeting-rooms and informal spaces, all within the existing concrete structure. Most of it will remain, although some will be recycled after demolition. The building needs new windows, though, and will be replaced with an insulated, double-glazed system, with office windows that open for ventilation and sweep from floor to ceiling.
The office floors surround an atrium space with a mix of partially closed meeting-rooms and informal spaces, all within the existing concrete structure. Most of it will remain, although some will be recycled after demolition. The building needs new windows, though, and will be replaced with an insulated, double-glazed system, with office windows that open for ventilation and sweep from floor to ceiling.
Image: Benthem Crouwel
Two levels of underground parking will accommodate all the employees moving to the building, and essentially complete the €32m project – almost.
That is because the Benthem Crouwel clients wanted their new lottery headquarters to be an open building that serves the surrounding community. In addition to the rooftop garden that neighbors care for, the community is welcome to enjoy a public restaurant, a TV studio, and a hall and auditorium available for lectures and expo meetings. There will also, of course, be the view of the leafy aluminium tree canopy.
The building construction, set to begin in October 2016, is expected to be completed in 2018. What's the architect's main worry? Van der Made says they're not sure yet if the wind will whistle when it blows through the aluminium leaves, or what unintended consequences the reflecting light or glare may cause.
That is because the Benthem Crouwel clients wanted their new lottery headquarters to be an open building that serves the surrounding community. In addition to the rooftop garden that neighbors care for, the community is welcome to enjoy a public restaurant, a TV studio, and a hall and auditorium available for lectures and expo meetings. There will also, of course, be the view of the leafy aluminium tree canopy.
The building construction, set to begin in October 2016, is expected to be completed in 2018. What's the architect's main worry? Van der Made says they're not sure yet if the wind will whistle when it blows through the aluminium leaves, or what unintended consequences the reflecting light or glare may cause.
Banner image: Benthem Crouwel