schilder scholte architects completes sterk werk office in rotterdam

schilder scholte architects completes sterk werk office in rotterdam
all images © matthijs borghgraef

little remains of the physical history at the location of the royal rotterdam lloyd shipping company’s former headquarters. however, the structure itself is still going strong; built in 1907, it’s role now is to house the dutch communications office sterk werk — strong work. the company’s move warranted the need to improve the historical interior, a task which was undertaken by local schilder scholte architects.

IKEA hack, wall composed of ‘lack’ tables

the space was created with an industrial, well-organized layout that possesses a stylish, hip feel and undercurrent of familiarity and homey-ness. the interior is dominated by a large, central expanse where all workstations are located. placed adjacent to the area are a variety of rooms including a conference and meeting facilities, secretarial offices, cafeteria and kitchen, and lounge. 

workspaces 

to separate the large work zone from others, schilder scholte created a 32 meter long, 3.2 meter high freestanding division wall. the piece is made of several hundred white and orange ikea ‘lack’ tables. inside the wall itself, are an additional five cubicles and passages to the rest of the office. aside from its functional purpose, the element also strengthens the relationship between to the structures port city roots. the wall as a whole shows an abstracted view of the rotterdam skyline along the river meuse, which is reflected in the carpeted floor. the coupling of fundamental elements and historically rich design evoke an industrial feeling worthy of rotterdam, but at the same time exudes a certain warmth necessary of the contemporary office. 

view of corridor with work niche 

glass partition walls

a dividing piece seconds as a nice place to sit 

the office is 32 meters long 

floor plan & side views

project info:

location: veerhaven 7, rotterdam, the netherlands
client: sterk werk communicatie bv
architect: schilder scholte architects
team: hill scholte, gerrit schilder
trainee: marloeke grul
interior contractor: thijs masthoff
total floor area: 6,512ft²
design: september 2014
completion: december 2014
photos: matthijs borghgraef

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