Beethoven Development (competition)

Status: 2008
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Client: ING
Value: Confidential

 

Stanton Williams were invited to take part in this international competition for this 19,000 m² mixed-use office development by ING Real Estate Development with a law firm as the end user. The building forms part of a larger masterplan for the development of the south area of Amsterdam into an international business district.

The ground floor includes the main reception and a conference room for the office user, as well as retail units all around to relate to the surrounding new public spaces. The upper office floors comprise approximately 2000 m² each and have been designed to the specific requirements of the end user, based on cellular offices.

They do allow flexibility of use and works well with open plan accommodation. The floorplate depth is 15m which enables the building to be naturally ventilated to further reduce the energy demand. The building massing stepping down towards the rear facing Beatrix Park creates the opportunity for landscaped roof terraces with the roofs being considered as a 5th elevation. A bar and restaurant is incorporated on the 8th floor. Prefabricated elements of reconstituted stone articulate the elevations forming two storey high windows and colonades at ground floor. The deep reveals provide effective solar shading to help reduce the energy requirements.