Enjoy 2 free articles a month. For unlimited access, get a membership now.

Land over Water

Firm Architects

SAVE SUBMISSION
Bronze
The design features a natural flow along the entire facade, with central volumes creating different enclosed spaces. - Giovanni Nardi
Layout is based on a central square with a walkway around the office. - Giovanni Nardi
Central to the design is a versatile space nestled between brick walls, providing stability while honouring traditional Dutch architecture. - Giovanni Nardi
The design features a natural flow along the entire facade, with central volumes creating different enclosed spaces. - Giovanni Nardi

1 / 10

Sponsor
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Small Office
6.55
6.81
7.27
7.09
6.93
Christopher Lye
Christopher Lye Principal at Woods Bagot
Interesting choice of materials for...
6
5.5
6
5
5.63
Javier Jimenez Iniesta
Javier Jimenez Iniesta Director at Studio Animal
7.93
7.93
9.01
7.62
8.12
Jenn Celesia
Jenn Celesia Founder at Jenn Celesia Consulting
A nice use of local context and sto...
6
6.5
7
7.5
6.75
Elnaz Taghaddos
Elnaz Taghaddos Cofounder at E Plus A Atelier
Color Palette and materials are wel...
7
6.5
8.5
8
7.5
Esin Karliova
Esin Karliova Founder and Principal at Studio Karliova
My favorite part of this project is...
5.5
7
6
8
6.63
Heather Dubbeldam
Heather Dubbeldam Principal at Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
7
8
8
8
7.75
Rahul Mistri
Rahul Mistri Founder and Principal Designer at Open Atelier Mumbai
6.53
6.43
6.53
6.94
6.61
Ke Xie
Ke Xie Founder at Signyan Design
7.25
6.92
7.73
7.25
7.29
Viktorija Valiulyte
Viktorija Valiulyte Senior Designer for EMEA Flagshipstores at Nike
I agree with Esin; the use of natur...
6
7
7
7.5
6.88
Micha Klein
Micha Klein Executive Director at Liganova
6.5
6.5
7
7
6.75
Christina Prodromou
Christina Prodromou Director at COX Architecture
6
7
7
5
6.25
Kot Ge
Kot Ge Founder at LSD Interior Design
7
7
7
7
7
Moein Jalali
Moein Jalali Founder at Moein Jalali and Partners
Special attention to sustainability...
6
6
7
7
6.5
Søren Pihlmann
Søren Pihlmann Founder at pihlmann architects
7
7
8
7.5
7.38
Client
APPM
Floor area
675 ㎡
Completion
2022
Budget
375000
Social Media
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest
Finishes
Finishes
Finishes
Furniture
Furniture
Lighting
Furniture
Finishes

Located in Hoofddorp, this project covers approximately 675 m². Originally designed in the early 90’s, the building's interior was outdated and ready for a renewal. Firm Architects completely stripped the building and, emphasizing on sustainability, reused materials as much as possible. The design features a natural flow along the entire facade, with central volumes creating different enclosed spaces.

The goal; a flexible office tailored to different needs for now and for the future. Its layout is based on a central square with a walkway around the office. Having a loit of daylight coming in and using this flow of light to evenly penetrate in all the different spaces due to their inward positioning also keeps them from being exposed to large temperature jumps.

The design is a tribute to the Dutch landscape, smartly integrating Firm’s architectural innovation with APPM's mission of 'making the Netherlands more beautiful'. Firm explored what this vision means for APPM: innovation and improvement. Inspired by what makes the landscape of The Netherlands so unique – the eternal battle between water and clay, and the use of vegetation to hold the clay.

Central to the design is a versatile space nestled between brick walls, providing stability while honouring traditional Dutch architecture. The use of clay - in the form of a 21mmeter long brick wall, produced by Stonecycle, dividing the office - is a testament to Dutch ingenuity. Planters with reed elements integrate nature into meeting spaces, along with natural fibers like sisal flooring connecting to the Dutch landscape's vegetative aspects.

Reflective surfaces in the office highlight water's role in Dutch landscapes, enhancing natural light presence. This metaphor for water is further adopted in the design with the use of EGE flooring which is made from recycled fishing nets, with a gradient depicting wave layers. The light greyish blue marmoleum from FORBO adds to this by representing shallow waters and is very sustainable and locally made floor made from linoil and cork.

The APPM office prioritized sustainability at every level, incorporating ecological practices in material usage, processes, reuse of elements, and installations. Details include custom joinery crafted with Ecoplex and formaldehyde-free adhesives, sustainable cork for furniture and wall coverings, and 100% recyclable brut aluminium for all glass partitions. Much of the furniture, including desks, tables, and chairs, is repurposed from the previous office. Old LED lighting panels and cabinets are also reused, with cabinets refreshed with new panels and oxygen-producing plants.

Additionally, the building is equipped with solar panels and heat pumps. The indoor climate was addressed with sun shading and improved air quality. Supported by the moisture regulation of the brick walls due to the natural properties of its clay. Contributing to reducing the office's ecological footprint and supporting APPM's sustainability goals.