On the edge of the village of Asten, in the North Brabant Peel, TGM is building a new office and commercial complex on the site of a yet-to-be-developed high-grade business park. The site of TGM’s new building – pasture land with wooded banks - forms the representative entrance to the terrain which lies beyond and is named after the former milk factory. Because of its location it forms the transition between the village and surrounding area and, therefore, also the transition between the small-scale buildings of the village and the large-scale development of the business park.
The current characteristic pasture landscape with its wooded banks defines the image of the new building’s architecture. The new two-storey office and business complex is designed as a transparent pavilion which, because it is somewhat raised up above the countryside, appears to float. The reed-fringed ditch surrounds the building, firmly embedding it in the location.
The pavilion’s slim, transparent and autonomous form contrasts well with the surrounding pasture landscape. And this characteristic form is further emphasized by the overhanging roof, which takes on a specific shape on the south-side thus also serving to deflect the sun. Entirely constructed of glazed elevations, the transparent pavilion opens-out towards the surrounding landscape, providing an all-round orientation. In addition the form of the building provides a circulation spine towards the site’s other industrial buildings. This spine is used to keep parking, and loading-and-unloading out of sight.
With its understated yet inviting aura, the complex has a somewhat intangible feel. At times the building seems to have reached stasis through movement, at others it is just about to take off. This theme - movement and rest – has been taken up by the artist Karin van Pinxteren and, in close collaboration, she has translated this into a print that has been applied everywhere to the glass walls.
The interior of the building is on two levels, both with free-plan floor areas thereby guaranteeing maximum flexibility. The offices are situated on the north-side of the complex, while the supporting amenities are housed on the sunny south side. A large void with a staircase provides easy access between the ground floor and the first storey. The business unit is located on the ground floor and designed so that it can be easily transformed into office space in the future. Thus, on the interface between village and open country, a building rises up in the pasture land that forms the gateway to the business park behind, in which light, air, space and sustainable use are the central focus.
