Built in the 1960s as part of a controversial urbanization project that faced community resistance, De Walvis (Dutch for "the whale") was designed by W.F. Lugthart and initially seen as a disruptive addition to Amsterdam’s Bickerseiland. Decades later, KAAN Architecten has reimagined the building, stripping it down to its essence and reshaping it into a sleek, sculptural landmark.

Drawing inspiration from Donald Judd, the architects introduced strong horizontal lines that optically separate the floors while maintaining interior flexibility for future spatial connections. The extended floors, clad in dark, lightweight metal, create a striking floating effect, further enhanced by recessed triple glazing with nearly invisible rebates. Meanwhile, regularly spaced operable portholes nod to the site's maritime history, echoing the original pivot windows while adding a sense of robustness and adaptability.

Commissioned by MaarsenGroep, the transformation infuses De Walvis with a hip, industrial aesthetic, designed to attract tenants from the advertising, media, and tech industries.

The rehabilitation design focused on maximizing light, space, sightlines, and functional clarity, while refining the building’s elegant facades. Despite the original structure’s limited floor height, KAAN Architecten introduced strategies to enhance openness, allowing more natural light and expansive views, ultimately creating a sense of lightness and spaciousness.

The spatial impact is further enhanced by the marble-clad, recessed ground-floor lobby, which visually lifts the building from its base, and the removal of the heavy entablature that once added to its bulky appearance. While De Walvis remains a prominent landmark, KAAN Architecten’s design further integrates it into its surroundings. The extended floors emphasize a strong horizontality, defining the building’s renewed character with a refined, sculptural presence.

Sustainability overview

De Walvis balances preservation and renewal through a careful renovation. Retaining the original structure—the element with the highest environmental impact—minimizes emissions in line with R-ladder principles. A new thermal envelope, interior fit-out, and mechanical systems ensure the building meets modern energy and comfort standards for office use.

The facade features high-performance, well-insulated aluminum frames with triple glazing, while a more compact building envelope helps reduce energy loss. This minimizes overall energy demand, allowing for smaller, more efficient mechanical systems. The project incorporates energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps, air handling units, and daylight-controlled LED lighting, supplemented by solar panels. Designed for flexibility, the mechanical systems integrate a raised access floor, making future modifications straightforward.

Clean rainwater is collected and discharged into surface water, reducing the load on the municipal drainage system. Permeable paving further alleviates pressure on municipal sewers. The waste management plan includes separation into six primary waste streams.

Material innovations

The insulation materials used in the project come from documented sustainable sources, with production and supply chains meeting environmental standards such as ISO 14001, ensuring proper implementation and monitoring of environmental policies.

The landscaping features native shrubs and perennials, along with a green roof to enhance biodiversity. Additional measures include a house martin tower, nesting boxes for house sparrows and starlings, and designated bat roosting spaces to support local wildlife.

Carbon footprint

The project was certified BREEAM Excellent. The environmental impact of materials used according to the MPG (Milieu Prestatie Gebouw), a Dutch environmental performance indicator used to assess the sustainability of buildings in the Netherlands, is 60% lower than the legal requirement for new office buildings. The carbon emissions from materials over the complete lifecycle are calcuated to be 168 CO₂ eq per m² GFA (Gross Floor Area). 

Design for a Law firm on the top floors of a 1960's office building.

On the top floors of a sustainable redevelopment, Fokkema & Partners outfitted Brinkhof with a design that self-evidently transforms the slightly raw open space floorplates into a comfortable and classy law office.

With its move to ‘De Walvis’, the lawfirm Brinkhof chose an iconic building on the Bickerseiland in Amsterdam, constructed in the 1960’s. It was stripped to the bone and completely rebuilt into a contemporary and sustainable multi-tenant building according to a design by KAAN Architects. The Brinkhof office is situated on the top floors and boasts amazing views over the city of Amsterdam and the IJ river. Alongside the workspaces it features a meeting centre, library, restaurant and a roof terrace.

By adding a large rooflight and a void to connect the top 3 floors, daylight enters at the heart of the building. The intervention makes use of the vast building depth. The vertical interconnection of the work-space breaks up the large floor surfaces with a relatively low ceiling height, transforming the complete spatial experience. A spiral staircase is placed against an interior façade-like backdrop; a wall with lush greenery. With this dynamic to complement the building architecture, the culture of the law firm is optimally supported.

Due to the nature of their work, the firm wanted many closed workspaces and meeting rooms. With largely glazed separations, the sightlines and a transparent spatial character are preserved. Slender wooden doors and doorframes alternate with the glass, forming a self-evident sequence of transparent and closed faces. Corridors are wide and feel like an extension of the private spaces, up to the integrated cupboards where the flooring shifts to a dark colour. The office provides a tranquil, spacious and warm work environment where both concentration and providing mental space are key.

The interior has an outspoken colour scheme with gold-coloured faces, brass frames, shades of brown, blue, beige and natural wood. All are balanced to create a subdued yet refined atmosphere. The exposed ceiling with its accentuated black installations and white lighting fixtures merges with the raw building structure. The clear and rythmic interior design is a warm counterpart to stucture and frame the open space while taking advantage of the views. In combination with abundant greenery, the design provides Brinkhof with a welcoming environment that is strikingly transparent and fits like a glove.