We were invited to transform an unoccupied monolith, without demolition, into a state of the art workplace and a ‘great place to work’ for Mercedes-Benz Netherlands HQ, with all the presence and class you’d expect the brand to demand. It was a test of how we deal with a historical approach to development that gave little or no thought to the future, to evolving needs, or a time when a building was no longer loved or needed. Empty since completion almost 20 years before, the legacy set us a great challenge.
Mercedes-Benz Nederland
Office
In partnership with Mercedes Benz, we embraced that challenge. They were keen to use their new MeWE office concept, which puts their people and not their cars at the heart of the workspace design. Working with OPL Architects we applied our human-centred, circular design approach to create a sleek, sustainable, future-proofed, intelligent home for an iconic brand.
A full height glass façade connects the two core workspaces. Inside, a wide, open staircase sweeps into the building and through the plush reception area. Just beyond, light falls into an open space from the glass atrium, drawing visitors into a space that behaves almost like a village square – people sit, meet, talk, take a break here, with a videowall giving a focal point and graduating bench seating creating the feel of a small amphitheatre. Eight full length living walls punctuate the square in the atrium, covering over 180m2 of wall, breathing for the building.
An unloved building reborn
This project taught us that thinking inventively, and working with the right partners, we can adapt Cradle to Cradle solutions in almost any setting, even traditional work buildings. You could call this a radical renovation for this building – we did it because we know that people always respond well to good light, greenery, soft sounds and clean air.
Coert Zachariasse, CEO Delta.
Workspace feels open and illuminated, an outcome which was so important. In its previous life this building was designed with dark, shallow floorspaces, so our first move was to ‘core’ the building, removing the roof and cutting a vast opening through the centre of the floors, removing all those heavy concrete ceilings.
Now, gently filtered light from the atrium flows into offices through glass panels, and full length external windows allow the outdoors in so that light suffuses. Staff here talk about how it feels to connect with the weather, the surroundings – they feel the light, the openness, helps them to breathe.
Coert, it has been a pleasure for us to work with you and your team on this project. The outcome is outstanding and meets our vision of a ‘great place to work‘.
Thomas Götz, Head of Corporate Real Estate EMEA Daimler AG
9 million
tons of CO2 saved by renovation not demolition
180 m²
of interior living, breathing, green wall
Specifications
| Client: | Mercedes-Benz Netherlands |
| Location: | Nieuwegein Netherlands |
| Project / Status: | 14,417 m² GFA, Delivered and in use |
| Architects: | OPL Architecten |
| Ontwikkelingspartner: | VolkerWessels Logistics Development |
Sustainable Development Goals
Mercedes-Benz Nederland contains the following materials and features that apply to Delta's Next Generation Logistics concept:
Human-Centered
non-toxic materials, biophilic, natural air quality and climate control, activity-based work layout designed for productivity and wellbeing, outdoor communal green space, connected to transport and services.
Circular design
C2C optimised renovation, green roof, solar panelling and carbon-capture, grey water recycling.
Tech-enabled:
all-electric with 400 EV charging stations through innovative load sharing system, light-sensoring and interactive dimming, temperature control.
