B.Amsterdam

After more than 11 years of vacancy, the former IBM main building in the Rieker Business Park seemed unsuitable for repurposing. The monofunctional and static black cube building has been strengthened and modernized with a number of strategic interventions in use-value, experience, and identity. The new concept office building is designed according to the idea of a city: with streets, squares, facilities, and catering. As in any city, there are various functions in place to stimulate organic growth and development. People can use them to work, play sports, organize and attend events and for a special lunch or dinner at the restaurant Bureau on the roof terrace of the building.

B. Amsterdam offers more than just a pleasant workplace. B. is designed to facilitate interaction and meetings, making it easier for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives to make connections and be part of a community. A good example is the new central entrance and the expansive roof park, which function as places to stay, where people can meet. Within this ecosystem, users have the freedom to contribute to the continuous development of the ‘city’. The addition of the Restaurant Bureau on the roof and the various sports facilities ensure that the building also lives and moves outside office hours. This creates a constant dynamic and thus an extra sense of safety in and around the building. First time users are still with a workplace in B.Amsterdam, this shows the connection and ownership that the users have.

The recognizable, industrial look of the building has been preserved by reusing existing materials and original elements. Striking are the large industrial sliding doors that create continuity between the indoor and outdoor spaces, the use of shipping containers, and the eye-catching bathtubs as gigantic flower pots. On the roof terrace, old cars serve as meeting places that contribute to the raw and dynamic character of the setting. The elevation of the external escape stairwell and the characteristic orange crown make the building highly recognizable from the road and give it its own identity. The result is a successful transformation project in which innovation and creativity are central.