KAAN Architecten, a Dutch architecture studio, recently designed a new office space for itself in a former bank building. Built in the 1950s, the space was formerly occupied by De Nederlandsche Bank, and KAAN Architecten has used the modernist style of the building for its own purposes.
The sprawling office is located in Rotterdam, on the edge of the Mass river -- not far from the famous Erasmus Bridge. With over 1,400 square meters of space, the office has more than 80 work spaces throughout its open-concept layout. According to Dikkie Scipio, one of the co-founders of the studio, "the notion of sharing of knowledge is at the core of the division of spaces and the interior design of the new office."
Part of the unique appeal of the office design are the concrete columns that KAAN Architecten left exposed through the central corridor.
Converted Modernist Banks
KAAN Architecten's New Studio is in a Bank Building from the 1950s
Trend Themes
1. Adaptive Reuse of Old Banks - There is an opportunity for architecture firms to specialize in the redesign of old bank buildings for modern office spaces.
2. Open-concept Workspaces - As companies move towards more collaborative workstyles, there is an opportunity for office design firms to specialize in open-concept layouts.
3. Showcasing Building's Unique Design Elements - Design firms can leverage the unique character of old bank buildings, like exposed concrete columns, to create visually stunning and functional office spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Architecture firms can explore the potential for adaptive reuse of old bank buildings for modern office spaces.
2. Office Design - Office design firms can specialize in creating open-concept workspaces to accommodate collaborative workstyles.
3. Construction - Construction companies can specialize in retrofitting old bank buildings to meet modern safety and sustainability standards.