Blast Radius is an internationally operating company specialised in the design of interactive websites for – predominantly – major brands.

The newly rented space in the middle of the city centre of Amsterdam needs to accommodate the unconventional, creative and open character of the company. Therefore our first intervention was to remove from the space all elements which could be associated with a dull, bureaucratic and conventional office: suspended ceiling, carpet tiles, modular walls etc. 

The layout of the space is conceived as an (urban) landscape which can be traversed (or skated) fluently, along more and less defined places and ‘squares’ that encourage informal encounters.

The walls of the meeting rooms are made of sturdy, translucent polycarbonate multiwall sheets. The play with light, the structure of the multiwall sheets, the rounded corners and the meticulous fitting of the ends in stainless steel sections, enables richly layered associations and even – from time to time – an almost mystical spatial experience.

Why do 500 people want to work in a single building in today’s world of information technology?

Research and a survey during the preliminary design phase revealed that an important part of the work of employees is in fact not done at the individual workplace, but in meetings, consultations and during fast exchanges of information. Precisely these moments of informal exchange are valued by the company; the design provides spaces for such informal encounters.

A spatially and materially distinguished area marks the informal and formal communication zones and forms the backbone of the building, joining the various departments. Interiors for the other programmes are each specifically adjusted to the characteristics of the respective programme. For this, subtly manipulated natural materials and refined techniques are used: from a coloured concrete floor to metal walls and ceilings. A staircase made of glued glass, developed in collaboration with the TU Delft, is the eye-catcher at the entrance.

During the hundred years of its existence, the various inhabitants have again and again adjust the interior of this monumental building according to their needs. The original interior design was completely vanished. Only with the help of archival drawings, the original spatial qualities of the building emerged.

All afterward additions have been removed, and the original spatial proportions have been restored to their original spacious layout. By research and analysis of the original architecture, a contemporary interpretation of it has been created, by means of a careful selection of materials and detailing.

The new head office of IMC, an international trading company, accommodates the differing representatives of IMC’s different departments: almost all different departments for ICT support, various types of traders, and the board of directors. The diverse mentalities of the departments demand a combination of different office concepts: from cell office to open-plan office; conference rooms, a lounge club, and a very specialized working place: the dealing room in which about 50 employees can trade on the international stock markets.

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Some structural alterations, like deepening the basement and extending a small house on a dyke near Amsterdam with a transparent volume, results in a luxurious usable space with a balanced plan.

The interventions keep the typical character of the old house intact. Two of the former exterior walls are now inside the house, the rough texture of their surfaces retained. On the ground level, the facade of structural glazing of the extension functions as a second shell. The theme of adding shells will be continued in the layout of the garden.

Founded 1779, Bank Oyens & van Eeghen is one of the oldest banks in the Netherlands. The office in Den Bosch is the first establishment besides the head office in Amsterdam. The integrated way of working and the close contact with the clients of Oyens & van Eeghen are reflected in the layout of the office, which comprises a waiting room and places for informal meetings in addition to the offices and meeting rooms.

In 1998 our office received a commission to search for solutions to remodel the dwelling in such a way as to meet the higher expectations of the client concerning space and comfort.  

The qualities of the house we deem special such as its peculiarity and the play of light. These should be expressed in the design in such a way that one could literally feel it.

To achieve an efficient spatial organization, that would create a maximum of that which is essential to dwelling, namely living space.

Our strategy was to demolish the entire interior, thus leaving the specific outer-shell standing. Instead of the old interior walls and service spaces two rectangular elements were designed that would contain all the service functions. These were separated and placed at a distance from the outer-shell in such a way that three spaces were created for eating, living an sleeping,

The quality of the dwelling is enhanced by the combination of the existing robust exterior and the abstract, industrially refined finishing of the 2 volumes inside.

The visual remains of the remodel have been kept in sight in the interior on purpose, creating an exciting texture that relays the story of what happened to this very special dwelling. Because all the storage space has been integrated into the new interior volumes. No other storage space needed to be realized thus creating a maximum of living space.