AkzoNobel & Art Space

surprising combination public, collective and private functions

The public ground floor of the AkzoNobel Center forms a natural transition with the adjacent square. In order to enhance the livability of the office environment in Zuidas, the architect has made a design that gives the ground floor a unique public function. On the ground floor there is now the Art Space, where the AkzoNobel Art Foundation international collection will be shown to the public. This Art Space was created through intensive cooperation between Hester Alberdingk Thijm, Tom Postma Design and GROUP A.

When passing by the new head quarter of AkzoNobel at the Zuidas the use of different types of glass in the façade immediately occurs. A dynamic and sophisticated interplay of light and reflection reinforces this effect. Besides glass the façade consists of timber structural elements. The timber façade elements are finished with coatings in a spectrum of colours that differ slightly from one element to the next – a direct reference to the client AkzoNobel.

Two linked atrium spaces form the backbone of the interior. The first atrium is devoted to the ‘AkzoNobel Experience’ on the ground floor, which is open to the public. It contains the entrance, reception, restaurant and Art Space. The semi-public ‘Meeting AkzoNobel’ is on the 1st floor. This floor is connected via a 2nd atrium with ‘Working at AkzoNobel’, comprising the offices on the higher floors. The design and furnishings of these floors are aimed at intensive and efficient use of space, and above all an inspiring, energy efficient and healthy work environment. The interior design with customized furniture has user-friendly rounded angles and shapes. It reflects the dynamism projected by the exterior, as a result of which the inside/outside sensations merge to create a harmonic unity.

The use of colour in the floor covering and table tops on the floors is concentrated around the atrium. The colours change from the centre into the wings. Every floor has its own colour theme. In this way the reflections of the different shades on the ceilings create a vertical colour spectrum, which lighting makes more prominent as evening approaches.

AkzoNobel, world’s biggest producer of decorative paints and performance coatings, is a leader in sustainability. For the new Center the BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating is attained. Important features include solar panels on the roof, photovoltaic cells in the atrium glazing, a ground source heat pump system, the double multi-skinned façade and the proximity of the railway station. The stratified glass façade has an integrated lighting design that gives the building a pleasant and lively appearance during the day and also at night.