With a robust building façade that echoes the billowing sails of ships dating back to the 17th century, ‘The Modular’ by Bureau Fraai is a new office building situated on a narrow corner plot on Amsterdam’s Island Oostenburg.
Currently in the midst of a transformation into a high-density, mixed-use neighbourhood, the neighbourhood’s masterplan called for contrasting buildings with strong identities and an industrial character that builds on the island’s industrial past. This history in particular includes the shipyards of the Dutch East India Company that were once located in the same location as well as the still existing Van Gendthallen, where until recently locomotives and machinery were built.
The five-storey office is thus designed as if it were an industrial product itself, easily assembled from different prefabricated parts. The result is a façade constructed from 25 identical prefabricated façade elements that have been assembled on the construction site in a short period of time.
The repetitive façade, which references the billowing sails of tall ships, also serves as a shading device. Under the continuously changing sun reflections, textures, and shadows the building never appears the from any angle or at any time.
With a clear floor height of almost 4-meters, the windows of the office floors offer spectacular views. The facades and floors plans are designed to make the building flexible for different futures uses, layouts and users.
Alongside the high-quality façade and built-in plan flexibility, the office building is also considered low energy use due to the implementation of a heat pump system and green roof. The building thus meets the highest sustainability standards – and sets the standard for the lively mixed-use neighbourhood to come.
