In the heart of Amsterdam, Mecanoo has transformed the De Nederlandsche Bank from a dated 1960s building into a transparent, flexible and publicly-oriented financial headquarters. The logic of the project is not demolition but adaptation: a reorganisation of spaces and an upgrade of systems that have enabled the building to meet ambitious sustainability objectives—WELL Platinum and BREAAM Outstanding.

Original design

Designed by Dutch architect Marius Duintjer in 1968, the original complex consisted of a low-rise perimeter block and a 73-metre-tall office tower. In 1991, a round tower was added to the courtyard and the square block was extended by a storey. Like all banks holding things of financial worth, the building design was necessarily inward-looking, designed for security and control rather than transparency.

Renovation 

When the bank decided to move gold reserves and banknote operations to Zeist, they also saw an opportunity to transform the building into a space that both the bank and the public could enjoy. The renovation logic extends from here. It retains the concrete frame and massing, and focuses on reprogramming the interior around historical elements that remain intact.

New floorplan

The design removed the gold vault and the surrounding floor plates, bringing light deep into the interior. It also removed the round tower, whose modular design allowed for straightforward dismantling and reuse of materials. The courtyard has been transformed from a parking area to an urban garden called Frederiksplein (Frederik’s Square).

Public spaces

The spaces are organised within this new floorplan. Public access is concentrated to the lower level with entry through the new courtyard. Where the gold vault and treasury once stood, visitors can now experience exhibitions and interactive games relating to money, the economy and DNB. There are two auditoriums for public lectures and school groups, alongside a reception desk-cum-coffee bar with seating that spills out into Frederiksplein.

Semi-public spaces
From here, a semi-public area with a soaring atrium provides spaces for impromptu interaction while offering views of the city and connection to office space. The stairwell leads to the restaurant, which overlooks the Singelgracht. With a wooden deck that extends over the water, the quay has become a popular gathering place for staff and visitors alike. Above, the logistics centre features a rooftop garden for staff with herbs and vegetables while other rooftops have been upgraded to green terraces.

Office spaces

The upper floors, accessible to staff only, sit above. These have been reorganised, replacing the compartmentalisation typical of traditional office design with flexible working areas. Among them is the double-height cash hall, which has been transformed into a meeting centre with breakout zones and a 120-metre-long reading room designed for work, conferences and dinners. 

Materials

The design works with, rather than against, Duintjer’s original design. The formal language that made the building so striking when it first opened have been kept, their forms and palette complemented with bio-based and circular materials. Walls have been finished with coloured PET felt and FSC-certified timber. Fluorescent lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient systems, and all technical installations have been relocated to the basements—freeing the panoramic rooms at the top of the tower for special events.

Sustainability 

The building works with circularity in mind. Wood from old and diseased poplars from the city has been incorporated into the slatted ceilings. The tower façades have been insulated with a ventilated double-glazed façade with integrated sun shading, while the new ventilation system recovers heat. Solar panels and geothermal energy supply sustainable power, enabling the building to contribute to a climate-neutral city. These efforts have reduced the building’s energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by over 80%.

Renovating the iconic bank from the 60’s brings unique challenges. How to transform a closed building with heavy vault doors to a transparent meeting place for everyone? And how to remain the authentic architecture while simultaneously meeting the modern day requirements regarding sustainability, fire safety and acoustics? Nico Kremers, Sales Manager at QbiQ Wall Systems will describe the impressive transformation of the head office of De Nederlandse Bank in Amsterdam. 

From gold reserve to meeting area

The head office of De Nederlandsche Bank located at the Frederiksplein used to be a closed off building for a long time. High fences, heavy security and an immense vault where all the gold used to be reserved. Not exactly a welcoming meeting area. Thankfully, these times have changed. Nowadays, the gold is stored in both Zeist (NL) and Canada and the building has transformed significantly.

Through the large windows on the ground floor, you can instantly see the activities inside the building. Even the auditorium with its blue chairs, a hint to the old 10 guilder bills, are visible. The most special aspect is the transformation of the vault, which is now called ‘De Nieuwe Schatkamer’, it is now a public meeting area, used for exhibitions and lectures. 

Forward to Basics: back to Duintjer

The renovation has been executed by architectural firm Mecanoo with respect to the original design of the architect Marius Duintjer from 1968. Their approach – Forward to Basics – is all about returning to the authentic quality of the building, while preparing it for the future. 

The tower created by Duintjer, called de ‘Satelliet’, has been removed and therefore the view between the Utrechtsestraat en De Pijp has been restored. The authentic brick façade has been restored carefully, while new modern glass facades on the ground floor provide transparency. The main entrance has been relocated to the side of the vault, a daring choice making it possible to transform the Frederiksplein on the front which is now called Frederikspark. 

The challenge for QbiQ: transparency and functionality

As a manufacturer of glass partitions, this project has been an extraordinary challenge. The wish for maximum transparency had to be combined with strict requirements regarding fire safety, acoustics and fall through safety. Being involved in the design process from the beginning made it possible to help brainstorm about the solutions that meet all the requirements. 

Surrounding De Nieuwe Schatkamer complex fire safety partitions have been installed that combine multiple functions. Various requirements were being met: besides fire safety, fall through safe, acoustic and even thermal isolation. These partitions separate multiple disciplines such as entrance, auditorium and De Nieuwe Schatkamer, while providing maximum transparency.

In the office building, we provided both single and double glazed partitions, complemented with closed partitions using steel, veneer and felt. The partitions are fully demountable and flexible, suiting the activities in the office area perfectly, just as DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank) imagined. When a department expands, shrinks or changes its function, the layout of the office area can be easily changed without drastic renovations.

Sustainability as a common thread

The matter that speaks to me the most is the comprehensive approach of sustainability. In most renovation projects, sustainability is usually translated to energy efficiency. In this case, it goes beyond that.

By leaving the already existing frame of the building – also called ‘the bones of the building’ by Mecanoo – as much intact as possible and complementing this with demountable, flexible elements, results in a building that is able to adapt to ever changing needs and requirements. The energy efficiency is impressive: the use of energy and CO2 emissions are 80% lower than before the renovation. 

Moreover, the integration of green is an important factor. Green roofs, a vegetable and herb garden for internal use and a public garden all contribute to biodiversity and a pleasant work environment. The parking beneath the building has made place for a bright corporate restaurant on the sunny side of the building at the Singelgracht. From a pier, passing boats can be viewed – yet another connection with the city. 

From standard to customized 

In this project, we went beyond the standard solutions. From high glass partitions in the auditorium to the smallest windows in the previous vault: everything is carefully designed and executed. Even in the parking area, fall through and fire safe partitions have been placed – a practical solution providing safety without making concessions on the design. 

The results didn’t remain unnoticed. The DNB-project has been nominated for the Amsterdam Architecture Awards 2025. As partner of this prestigious award, we are proud that ‘our’ project has been nominated. Recently, De Nederlandsche Bank has won the NRP Gulden Feniks 2025, a big compliment for the successful renovation of this heritage project.

A new standard for renovation

The transformation of De Nederlandsche Bank showcases that with preserving the authentic structure yet a radical change can be made. From a closed off building to a transparent meeting space. A location where gold used to be guarded to a public educative area for everyone. From high energy use to a sustainable building with minimal environmental burden. 

This project proves that renovation is not just about preserving what already exists, but about improving it. It provides a new standard for how existing buildings could be transformed and reused – essential in modern day where the importance of sustainability grows. 

Bring your renovation project to the next level

Do you have a renovation or transformation project where transparency, flexibility and sustainability meet? Discover how our partitions are able to improve your project. Contact our team of experts and explore the possibilities.