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Timmerhuis
Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode

Timmerhuis

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For Rotterdam's Timmerhuis, a new building for the city hall that accommodates municipal services, offices, and residential units, OMA conceived a modular building with repeated units gradually set back from the street as they rise into two irregular peaks. The building's composition of smaller cells creates an impressive, complex form when viewed from Coolsingel, one of Rotterdam’s main arteries, and allows for subtlety and adaptability as the new building meets the Stadstimmerhuis (a municipal building, from 1953), which surrounds it on two sides.

photo_credit By Sebastian van Damme © OMA
By Sebastian van Damme © OMA

The Timmerhuis’s innovative structural system generates maximum efficiency and versatility both in construction and in program: units can adapt to either office space or residential parameters as desired. Green terraces on higher levels provide the possibility of an apartment with a garden in the heart of urban Rotterdam. On the street level, the structure allows for generous open space, with modules overhanging rather than encroaching into an interstitial area, encouraging an active and open engagement between the Timmerhuis and the city. The design brief stipulated that the Timmerhuis must be the most sustainable building in the Netherlands. OMA tackled this imperative through the building’s core concept of flexibility, and also through the two large atriums, which act like lungs. They are connected to a climate system that stores warmth in summer and cold in winter and releases this energy as warm or cold air as required. The building’s triple glazed curtain wall facade uses hi-tech translucent insulation that allows for unprecedented energy efficiency.

photo_credit By Sebastian van Damme © OMA
By Sebastian van Damme © OMA

Rather than being yet another statement in Rotterdam’s crowded history of revisionist planning and cacophony of architectural styles, the ambiguous mass of the Timmerhuis tries to mediate between the existing buildings surrounding it. The axis between the existing town hall and the post office coincides with the axis of symmetry of the Timmerhuis, and the street between these two buildings continues into a passageway to the Haagseveer. The Timmerhuis integrates with the neighboring Stadtimmerhuis by maintaining the same floor heights, while the plinth height of 20m conforms to the character of the surrounding Laurenskwartier.

photo_credit Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
photo_credit Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
photo_credit By Sebastian van Damme © OMA
By Sebastian van Damme © OMA
photo_credit Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
Image courtesy of OMA; photography by Ossip van Duivenbode
photo_credit By Sebastian van Damme © OMA
By Sebastian van Damme © OMA

Timmerhuis

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The OMA architects Rem Koolhaas and Reinier de Graf have succeeded in creating another light-flooded architecture that is enormously versatile and flexible.

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With its 1,800 employees as well as for the 84 residential units above, the international star architect Rem Koolhaas had over 4,000 m² of traffic & administration area fitted with SPIN® Plan floor coverings from Hoba Steel.

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The hard-wearing material of SPIN® Plan is ideally suited for equipping highly frequented traffic routes and areas. In addition, the stainless steel flooring gives these spaces a look that is as elegant as it is modern.

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Only the perfect and precise punching technique of the metal flooring from Hoba Steel made it possible to realise the wishes of the planners and the client; the floor tiles have been precisely matched to the elements of the raised floor manufacturer.

Brand description

Hoba Steel combines the functionality of the elements in the SPIN® range with the highest standards of quality and design. Hoba Steel has been manufacturing stainless steel tiles with modular size systems and customised shapes since 1987. The SPIN® Safe range describes the tactile guidance systems of the individual indicators as well as the tile system for people with visual impairments. We are characterised by our close cooperation with our customers and contact persons in the individual projects. Together with you, we advise and develop your ideas.

Exelent chalange for SAPP

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The high performing Interalu ceiling was invited to be used in bought islands as corridors and full ceilings for meeting rooms. Several round chapes had to be matched. Light strips were added and the result is to be proud of.

Brand description

You and Interalu Interalu has specialised in metal ceilings for nearly forty five years now. And for nearly two decades our main focus has been on climate-control ceilings in particular.

Interalu seeks to be more just than the supplier of an excellent product. We also attach a great deal of importance to collaboration; we see your project as our project. The scope of our commitment to you can be summed up under the following four headings: - complete solution - flexibility - innovation - sustainability

Complete solution Interalu works closely with you right from the start of your project. And we keep a finger on its pulse until the job is done. Our approach is guided by your specific requirements. What kind of environment do you aim to create? Are you after a sleek design or something more functional? Perhaps something in between? What are your requirements with respect to health and (fire) safety? Should the spaces be permanent or modular? And what about utilities and maintenance? Your project is in safe hands with the Interalu team – from the design phase, to the production phase, and on to the installation of your ceiling. Flexibility Flexibility is one of Interalu's great strengths. We strongly believe that the installation of your climate-control ceiling shouldn’t come at the cost of your building's versatility. Our company's structure and our way of working are both designed to enable us to think along with you and to share our knowledge with you. Interalu’s flexibility also extends to the ceilings themselves, which can easily be adapted to fit any space: round, square, triangular and everything in between. Innovation Innovation is second nature to us. Our R&D department is always on the lookout for new and better techniques that can offer added value to our products and services. Which is why we often work with specialist research institutes and consulting firms. We have benefited from the expertise of the University of Ghent (BE) in the field of fire safety, the University of Stuttgart (DE) in the field of climate-control technology and Peutz engineering consultancy (NL) with respect to the acoustic qualities of our ceilings. Sustainability Every Interalu ceiling is a sustainable, high-quality Belgian product. Interalu consciously opts for solutions that have a minimal ecological impact. Our sister company, the producer of ceiling strips LLC-Plafonds, purchases its raw materials as close to home as possible. During production we use our own green power supply in addition to sustainable and eco-friendly techniques. Furthermore, steel is an ecologically responsible and sustainable material that is highly recyclable. And because we only build to order, there is never an excessive amount of waste.

A family business with an international reputation Interalu was founded in 1971 by Ludo Schrauwen together with Nestor Coudré. Sons Anthony and Stephan Schrauwen took over the share of the company held by Nestor Coudré in 1994. Together they helped Interalu to become the first stop for climate-control ceilings in Belgium. Today Interalu is still a family business through and through, but now with even more committed employees and an international reputation. In addition to its headquarters in Antwerp, the group also has branches in France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

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