THIS is located on the IJ river in lively Amsterdam North: a place where living, working and relaxation come together. The project is situated in an area that is undergoing rapid development but has not lost its raw, industrial character. The sustainable office building, designed by Powerhouse Company and constructed by Wessels Rijsen, forms the centrepiece of the project.
The office building: light, space and comfort
The office building offers approximately 7,300 square metres of office space, spread over five floors. Central to the design is a spacious atrium that connects the different layers of the building. Large floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of daylight to enter and offer views of the IJ river and the city.
The building has been developed to be more than just a workplace. It has a restaurant, a sheltered office courtyard and a spacious roof terrace that invites informal meetings or a short break in the open air. Health and sustainability were explicitly taken into account in the design. This is evident from the BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold certifications, among other things. The result is a future-proof working environment in which comfort and energy performance go hand in hand.
In terms of materials, the building ties in with the history of Amsterdam-Noord. Brick, glass and copper-coloured aluminium cladding refer to the industrial past of the site, but are applied in a contemporary form.
The façade as an eye-catcher
A striking feature of the design is the copper-coloured façade. Sorba is responsible for the development, production and installation of these aluminium façade elements. The façade consists of vertical slats and horizontal edges. This creates a lively image that changes with the daylight and the viewer’s perspective. The façade was constructed in collaboration with Facadis façade construction.
The slats are not only intended to be aesthetic. Thanks to their clever placement, they also act as natural sun blinds. They limit direct sunlight and thus contribute to a pleasant indoor climate and lower energy consumption. The aluminium elements are durable, low-maintenance and resistant to the elements, which is in line with the long service life intended for the building.
The warm copper colour gives the building character. It forms a bridge between the location’s rugged industrial past and today’s modern architecture.
Part of a larger picture
The office building is part of the broader THIS Amsterdam project, which includes four residential buildings in addition to office space. The various buildings are connected by The Hidden Garden: a green courtyard garden with walking paths and native plants. This shared outdoor space provides tranquillity in an urban area and encourages interaction between residents and users.
With its thoughtful architecture, sustainable choices and attention to detail, THIS shows what a modern workplace can look like: functional, comfortable and firmly anchored in its surroundings.
