Page 186 - AIT1018_E-Paper

BÜRO UND VERWALTUNG • OFFICE BUILDINGS INNERE WERTE • INNER VALUES

V lissingen is located in the Dutch province of Zeeland, on the
south coast of the Walcheren Peninsula. Vlissingen has long play-
ed a central role in shipping. The Royal Dutch Shipyard, the "Konin -
klijke Schelde", founded in 1875, is also located there. At that time, it
was already known worldwide for its quality work. In 2001, the Royal
Schelde became part of the Damen Shipyards Group. The internatio-
nally operating family business is one of the largest shipbuilding and
servicing companies in the Netherlands and has been working for the
Royal Shipyard for eight generations. In 1913, the shipyard had an
impressive headquarters built by J.P. Stok based on American indu-
strial buildings, known as "De Schelde". Group A from Rotterdam has
recently renovated and converted the now listed building as well as
a 1980s office building behind it.

The Atrium - the heart of the office building

In the first construction phase, Group A dealt with the ground floor,
the atrium and the connecting wing to the 1980s office building.
Gelungene Verbindung: neues Restaurant, klassisches Atrium • Successful combination: new restaurant, classic atrium Before, Stok's building looked grey, secluded, and outdated. A reno-
vation, which was initiated in the 1980s, had harmed rather than hel-
ped the existing structure. Group A used the still preserved original
Große Arbeitsplatzqualität: hohe, lichtdurchflutete Büros • Great workplace quality: high, light-flooded offices
interior design elements as an opportunity to accentuate the once
impressive atrium. Characteristic elements have been completely
renovated. These include the glass roof above the atrium and the cir-
cular staircase, which hangs like a nest in a corner of the atrium. Also
striking are the walls and columns tiled in the lower part and painted
in a light colour in the upper section, as well as the brick balustrades.
The square tiles in a green and ochre shade are originals. Glass ele-
ments fitted into the axial grid and extending from column to column
now create generous visual connections between the atrium and the
offices behind it. The elegant, narrow, black bars of this interior faça-
de are a perfect contrast to the brightly painted structural elements.
The architects have reinterpreted also other interior elements, such
as the epoxy resin floor, structured by a generous grid of lines, and
the luminaires.

Impressive portfolio

An imposing three-flight staircase leads to the first floor. All the ship
projects that Damen Shipyards built between 1876 and 2014 are listed
with their names and dates on the underside of the steps - a remar-
kable portfolio! The fact that everything in this traditional company
Von Altbau und Schiffen abgeleitet: Schwarz, Ocker, Mahagoni • Derived from the old building and ships: black, ochre, mahogany
revolves around ships is also reflected in the material and design of
the reception counter and the furniture for waiting areas and offices.
Obviously, the mahogany furniture takes its inspiration from the inte-
rior of high-quality yachts and luxury ships. Among the visitors of the
building are customers and suppliers. The exhibition displayed on
the ground floor as well as the new restaurant and presentation room
are also open to an interested public. In the new interior, the compa-
ny's colours - ochre of the tiles, black of the hulls, and mahogany of
the yachts - are omnipresent. The high, light-flooded offices provide
a high workplace quality and again have the original ceilings and
windows. Group A had constructive elements restored, the view to
the atrium uncovered, and glass partition walls installed. This newly
created transparency also includes the management. Group A was
also able to overhaul all three office floors in the "new building"
dating from the 1980s. Here, closed workplaces have also given way
to an open-plan structure with break zones furnished like living
rooms. After the conversion, the workspaces of the 300 to 350
employees are prestigious and have a contemporary openness. The
owner-managed company has ambitious plans for the future. Damen
Shipyards aims to become the global market leader in the niche seg-
ment of shipbuilding, repair, conversion, and maintenance.

186 • AIT 10.2018