Liander Westpoort
Commissioned by energy network company Alliander, De Zwarte Hond designed the new regional offices ‘Liander Westpoort’, located in the port area of Amsterdam and consisting of an office building, workshops, warehouses, test facilities, an educational- and parking building.
Together with client Alliander, IMd, Copper8 and DGMR, De Zwarte Hond formulated the sustainability ambitions resulting in high flexibility, scalability and modularity. The office building and training facilities have an all-timber construction, designed to be flexible and create a healthy working environment. Thanks to its detachable structural set-up the parking building can grow or shrink. The facades are made of weather-resistant Corten steel. This makes the regional office resilient for the future.
The buildings are positioned with rhythmic alternations on the plot like a barcode, with the office building as a height accent, visible from the A5. All parts of the programme got equal attention. Work buildings and storage areas have been designed with the same care as the office building and together they form a robust ensemble. It evokes memories of industrial architecture’s peak moments.
The large atrium with its wooden central staircases creates an environment that encourages meetings and interactions. An example of sustainability, the building is gas-free and energy-neutral, contributing to a circular economy. A biodiverse landscape plan is inviting to people and animals. Rich planting around and on the buildings provides a habitat for insects, birds, amphibians and small mammals.
Awards
Nationale Houtbouwprijs 2023 – The Best Wooden Building in the Netherlands
Architectenweb Award 2023 – Office building of the year
Photography: Scagliola Brakkee, Jaques Tillmans Foto Focus