Pand Noord
Pand Noord, located at Meeuwenlaan in Amsterdam Noord, is a business complex created for creative industries. Purchased by Highbrook Investors at the end of 2017, Hollandse Nieuwe were selected to design its common spaces, consisting of the reception hall, corridors, meeting rooms, restaurant, terrace and two large atriums.
The building has been expanded several times throughout history, making it a linked volume of different boxes; the oldest building section on the north side and the newest building section on the south side. From the reception, a long corridor centrally opens up the various building components and functions, which are broken through atriums in a number of places.
| COMPLETION | 2019 |
| NETTO M² | 960 m² |
| CLIENT | Highbrook Investors |
| PROJECT MANAGEMENT | Savills |
| LOCATION | Amsterdam |
The Concept
The design concept developed from a thorough historical and spatial analysis, leading to a number of clear and simple starting points. The first of these was to create a series of tranquil spaces, where light, space and materials blended together. The building’s original routing felt unbalanced and chaotic, a consequence of the building’s growth over the years, so it was felt that a series of calm and unified spaces would help to organize these spaces.
The second starting point is based on the existing architectural qualities. Old parts of the building were used as factory halls and its industrial appearance is still very noticeable.
The younger part of the building has a rougher appearance, befitting the old industrial architecture of the adjacent sections of the building. A specific wish from both our contractor and ourselves was to maintain and strengthen this industrial quality.
The spatial concept follows the previous starting points. Each space is located in a different part of the building, and each of them have a unique appearance. This characteristic led to a design strategy where we, based on the themes of each separate space, gave every room the feeling of being a different world. The themes that we have chosen for the spaces were based on their historical function and on the palette of materials that were present in each space.
The Design – HQ
The former offices of the industrial company that used to be located here have been transformed and now function as the reception area of Pand Noord. Due to its historic character, the reception has a high-quality representative appearance. The use of materials such as oak, alongside the white walls, help to create a calm and transparent experience. The floor itself is also oak in a herringbone pattern.
Factory 1
Adjacent to the reception is the first atrium, which houses a meeting area. The grey frames of this area were taking as starting points in regards to what materials should be used. Making the lower half of the space fully grey creates a simple atrium experience with a calm atmosphere.
Factory 2
The restaurant is located in the second former factory hall – a high ceilinged space with a slopping roof. The industrial steel trusses were the starting point of this area.
While the entire area has been designed with different materials and textures, all these share the same fresh, light grey color. The oaken herringbone pattern found in the reception hall returns here, but in a light natural grey stone. A concrete bar and the canteen counter are positioned as solid blocks against the walls.
To emphasize the height of the building, LED-light lines have been attached to the wall vertically, which together with two simple LED tubes give a clear lighting plan.
Two trees have been placed in this area as well, and the biggest piece of furniture serves as a lunch table.
Offices
The youngest part of the building is a grand atrium with adjacent office space units. The rough concrete interior has been retained and only the red accents in this area have been enlarged and intensified. Like other areas, this it creates a single gesture: an entirely red lower part in the atrium. A large art piece, created by the artist ZenkOne and Artbox, has been placed through the atrium, strengthen its rough character as well as adding red highlights. This art piece depicts numerous unique themes and narrates the rich history of both the building and Amsterdam Noord.
