By using ArchDaily, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

If you want to make the best of your experience on our site, sign-up.

By using ArchDaily, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

If you want to make the best of your experience on our site, sign-up.

De Bank / KAAN Architecten

Save

De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Image 2 of 20De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - ColumnDe Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Table, ChairDe Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Waterfront, CityscapeDe Bank  / KAAN Architecten - More Images+ 15

  • Project Team: Beatrice Bagnara, Dennis Bruijn, Marten Dashorst, Luuk Dietz, Giuseppe Mazzaglia
  • Construction Advisor: Pieters Bouwtechniek
  • Water + Electrical Installations: Van Panhuis
  • Architect In Charge: Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, Dikkie Scipio
  • Water Installations: Van Panhuis
  • City: Rotterdam
  • Country: The Netherlands
More SpecsLess Specs
De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Column, Beam
© Simone Bossi

Text description provided by the architects. KAAN Architecten has moved to a new office, marking a page-turn for the expanding architectural practice. The new location is in the heart of Rotterdam, situated along the Maas river, just a few meters from the iconic Erasmus bridge and the firm’s award- winning project Education Center at Erasmus Medical Center University. The project has transformed 1.400 sqm of the former premises of De Nederlandsche Bank into KAAN’s new open-space headquarters, which encompasses more than 80 workspaces.

Floor Plan

KAAN’s new De Bank office is housed in the piano nobile of a quintessential historical building originally designed by Prof. Henri Timo Zwiers in 1950-1955, on the grounds of a former synagogue, which was destroyed during the WWII bombings. The brick façade on Boompjes Street stands out against the river skyline and is characterized by an entrance hall enriched by the mosaic of Dutch artist Louis van Roode, who decorated several public spaces in Rotterdam during the post-war period.

De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Sofa, Beam
© Simone Bossi

“The notion of sharing of knowledge is at the core of the division of spaces and the interior design of the new office. This rough space has the special gift of an industrial yet monumental aesthetic, a beauty that we decided to exalt through a solid balance between two simple materials wood and concrete.”

De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Image 11 of 20
© Simone Bossi

Dikkie Scipio

The building’s striking character and its wide, bright spaces offered the perfect base for KAAN Architecten to design their new office. The beating heart of the project is an extensive working area dedicated to architects. This space is blessed by intense daylight on both sides and offers a unique view of the surrounding water-front. The rectangular floor plan, with its clear proportions, is designed to effectively connect working, meeting and leisure spaces through several long monumental corridors and passages, enhancing fluid interactions between employees, visitors and partners.

De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Table, Lighting, Chair
© Simone Bossi

Spatial rhythm is generated by the finely restored industrial concrete structure. The rough essence of the material is balanced by a counterpoint of elegant dark walnut wood, which constitutes the main component of the interiors. The harmonious interaction between the warm comfort of the wood and the pre-existing concrete structure, envelopes the atmosphere in a graceful yet monumental feeling. KAAN Architecten has successfully designed a new working space that genuinely represents the philosophy of the office: functionalism with added value. Raw and refined at once, the project revitalizes and reveals the inherent beauty of a building that has, for many years been sleeping while its city dreams.

De Bank  / KAAN Architecten - Column
© Simone Bossi

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Boompjes 255, 3011 XZ Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "De Bank / KAAN Architecten" 06 Jan 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed 3 Jan 2025. <https://www.archdaily.com/800313/de-bank-kaan-architecten> ISSN 0719-8884
Saint-Gobain is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to or reliance on any information contained on this site. No guarantee is given by Saint-Gobain that the information is correct, complete or up-to-date or will not infringe any copyright or other intellectual property right and Saint-Gobain does not endorse any of the information contained on this site. Although the ArchDaily website may provide links to other internet resources, including web sites, Saint-Gobain is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information in these sites. Links from the ArchDaily website to third-party sites do not constitute an endorsement by Saint-Gobain of the parties or their products or services.

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.