Spatial identity

The histories of Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn and the city of Zaandam are inextricably linked. At the flagship branch of the supermarket near Zaans Medical Center, shoppers are immersed in the chain's rich entrepreneurial history.   Step into the world of Albert Heijn Design agency Silo selected highlights from the company's 125-year history to create a surprising, humorous and delicious graphical storyline. The hand-drawn illustrations show the quality products for which the supermarket is renowned – wine, coffee, biscuits, and fresh vegetables – but also the facade of one of its first locations. The drawings also include interesting facts about Albert Heijn.   Better take the stairs Using the stairs to... More

The “Wooden Forest”, situated on a beautiful estate of Ipse de Bruggen Foundation in the heart of Holland, is a medical centre for adults with mental disabilities. More than 400 clients live atthe residence, where they receive care and daycare activities are organised. For the specific needs of many of the patients a wide range of medical facilities and the rapeutical services are provided by more than 100 staff members at the “Wooden Forest”. To support specialized care, social integration with the local village is very important and encourages clients to integrate with the community. In return, local residents are permitted to use the medical and sports facilities at the centre, including the rehabilitation pool where kids can take s... More

The Delfland Water Authority is located in a historical building on the Oude Delft: the Gemeenlandshuis. The monumental part was built in 1505 as a house for Jan de Huyter. The sandstone facade was unique for that time and it was one of the few buildings to survive the 1536 city fire. More than 100 years later, the house came into the hands of the Delfland Water Authority.Over time the Water Authority has been extended to include several adjacent monumental buildings, and in 1975 a new building on the Phoenixstraat was added. In 2014, the Water Authority decided to revise its housing strategy. The most important task was to make what was once a fragmentary complex, a whole and transform it into a pleasant, flexible working environment that... More

Swimming in an office? In the middle of the city? Between shops, city hall, restaurants and wellness? As of Friday 23rd of February 2018 this is officially possible. At 12am city council member Visser opened Swimming Venue Rotterdam. Kraaijvanger Architects designed the plan for this unique sustainable transformation from office to swimming pool in commission of Consortium Hart van Zuid (Ballast Nedam & Heijmans). Children, adults and top athletes are welcome for swimming lessons, sport – and recreational swimming and - with the 50-meter pool - for official international competitions. The exterior of the building remains recognizable for the neighborhood, because the design consists out of characteristic parts that remain intact between... More

Eurojust is the EU-judicial cooperation unit dealing with cross-border crime. The new headquarters for Eurojust in the International Zone of The Hague were developed together with the Central Government Real Estate Agency, the Ministry of Justice and Security and the municipality. The complexity of the location and the stringent security measures required a carefully integrated design solution. The building is an elegant composition of two volumes: the high-rise tower facing the Johan de Wittlaan and the low-rise plinth on the park side. The rhythm of pure white composite facade elements gives the building a timeless, classic beauty. The windows are subtly tilted either horizontally or vertically, thereby reflecting both the sky and the... More

With its wide variety of distinct buildings, the Utrecht Science Park is a microcosm of modern architecture. To fit into its surroundings, Mecanoo has designed the new Life Sciences Incubator (LSI) with horizontal layers, while the detailed glazed facade adds a unique touch. Accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency The LSI is a business centre for start-ups and more established companies in the bioscience field and consists of both laboratories and offices. Accessibility, flexibility and efficiency have been central in developing a building with a professional, functional appearance. To accommodate future change in the number of participating companies in the LSI, the building is designed to use space efficiently. Bridges and stair... More