Background The Core: from car garage to office

The Core is a former 50-year-old car garage in the Amsterdam Schinkel area and was completely transformed into a modern and innovative office in one year. The building has thus been given a sustainable second life, with the authenticity of the garage still visible in the interior. For example, the old overhead doors and shed roofs are still part of the interior. The office was created entirely by CBRE's own design team, which has been designing interiors for many years for major brands. The workplace concept, sustainability, and complete renovation were also realized by CBRE itself. Earlier this year, the office was already nominated for ‘Interior of the Year’ by the Dutch Architect platform Architectenweb.

People-centric

Ramon Beijen, Creative Director at CBRE Netherlands: “We are extremely happy with this prestigious international prize. It is with great pride that in this way we receive appreciation for the design of our office, The Core, a transformed old car garage in Amsterdam. In particular, it is also a recognition of the path that CBRE has taken and the integrated approach of the different teams that created this office. This prize puts us, and in particular our ambitious and talented design team, more firmly on the map.”

During the entire process to create The Core, not only this building was transformed, but also the organization. Beijen continues: “With the division of the office into different zones, we went from an activity-related working environment to a workstyle-related environment. Here, people are at the centre, and we focus on innovation, co-creation, health and sustainability. The design optimally supports this philosophy, without losing sight of the unique character of the building."

Four zones

The Core has four different zones, suitable for every type of employee. For example, there is the Library, where employees can work in a focused and quiet ambience. The Cafe is the ideal place for meeting and connecting. Here colleagues come together or with clients for informal meetings. The Workplace is the bustling heart of the office where people work hard, and in the Client Lab colleagues and clients come up with creative answers to housing issues.

Technical sheet

Design: CBRE Design (Netherlands) Designers: Ramon Beijen (Creative Director), Bente Bollen, Birgit van de Steenoven, Johan Pragt

Floor area: 4.700 square meters Workplace concept: workstyle-related environment with 4 zones: The CBRE Café, the Client Lab, the Workshop and the Library

Sustainability: aiming for WELL Platinum & LEED Gold certifications Building type: sustainable transformed former car garage

Date of completion: February 25, 2019

Location: Anthony Fokkerweg 15, 1059CM Amsterdam, North-Holland, The Netherlands