Real estate developer BPD recently occupied the former orphanage in Amsterdam, originally designed by Aldo van Eyck. The nationally listed building was renovated, Ex Interiors designed the interior.
Burgerweeshuis was designed as a small town; pavilions and patios are grouped around an inner street.The iconic building is characterized by playful contrasts: small things are always part of a larger whole, boundaries fade between inside and outside, the transition from open to closed is phased. In line with this original design, the inner street is decorated as a meeting place for employees, and work spaces and meeting rooms are situated in the pavilions. An environment has been created, in which the building can fulfil the working and formal meeting needs in an efficient and pleasant way.
To transform the building into a comfortable working place, the interior was regarded as a newly added layer. The sleek and simple design integrates seamlessly with the strict rhythms, spatial planning and the dimensioning of the existing architecture, allowing for a natural unity. All new additions, in terms of size and material use have been harmonised with each other and with the existing building, so that these are simultaneously recognisable as a family of new additions and yet tie into the existing architecture in an obvious manner.
By going back to the essence, we were able to harness the power and unity of Burgerweeshuis and also to give the building a contemporary elaboration.