For MK Administratie, 1op1 Architectuur designed a future-proof office building on a plot within an industrial area in Creil. Surrounded by large, rectangular industrial buildings, we deliberately opted for a design that breaks with convention: compact, distinctive, and with a strong social component.
A Functional and Connecting Building
The existing office of MK Administratie no longer provided sufficient space for the company’s growth. The new location offered opportunities, but was situated in an area lacking clear architectural identity. From that starting point, we developed a building that not only functions as an efficient workplace, but also provides space for encounters, use by third parties, and a strong regional connection.At the heart of the design is a multifunctional staircase that not only connects floors but also doubles as a tiered seating area for presentations, lectures, or local gatherings. In doing so, the office also gains a social role—an explicit wish from the client, who wanted the building to serve as a community anchor for Creil.
Architecture as a Counterbalance
The building’s architecture was intentionally designed to stand out from its surroundings. While most buildings in the area are large-scale and closed off, this design features an introverted layout with a light and open character. The roof plays a central role: with glued laminated timber beams and slender columns, the structure is clear and expressive. The large overhangs provide solar shading and visually emphasize the building’s entrance.Each façade responds to its orientation. The east and west façades are equipped with sound-insulating panels, while the north side is largely closed off and accommodates storage, technical installations, and sanitation. Natural light and transparency are concentrated on the south side, where workspaces and communal areas are located.
A Subtle Reference to the Polder
The floor plan subtly references the grid structure of the Noordoostpolder. Each space is named after a local town—from Schokland to Kraggenburg—and at the center, where Emmeloord would be located, a tree has been placed as a symbolic heart of the building. The columns are arranged in a way that evokes the feeling of a polder forest, with rhythm and a sense of freedom.This reference is not just a stylistic gesture: MK Administratie serves many clients from the Noordoostpolder, and the building makes that regional connection tangible in its daily use.
Conclusion
Among large-scale industrial buildings, the new office of MK Administratie adds something human—a place where work, connection, and identity come together.
