Esprit Headoffice Benelux

Amstelveen, Pays-Bas
Photo © DigiDaan
Photo © DigiDaan
Photo © DigiDaan
Photo © DigiDaan
Photo © DigiDaan
Architectes
Bekkering Adams Architecten (from 2020: studioADAMS and Juliette Bekkering architecten)
Lieu
Krijgsmanlaan, Amstelveen, Pays-Bas
Année
2010
Program

8.900 m2
Offices, showroom and parking

Client
MAB Development, Den Haag

Project architects
Juliette Bekkering, Monica Adams
Team: Frank Venhorst, Gerard Heerink, Sander Brand, Amarinske Douma, Nikos Iannou

Photos
DigiDaan

The building houses the headquarters of the Benelux for the fashion brand Esprit. Esprit is one of the largest fashion brands of the moment, with a young and dynamic image. The building was required to create a powerful and striking image and radiate the Esprit spirit, but also had to be neutral and timeless, leaving the possibility to change over time. The design provides a hybrid building that includes office floors, showrooms and corporate functions. The building is as well a tailored suit, tailor-made for the user, as it is flexible and timeless with the possibility to absorb different functions and future changes in the program. 

The Esprit Building is a striking building on the Krijgsman in Amstelveen. The landscape is lifted and extended into the building, in order to create an uplifted and transparent entrance. The parking is resolved under the uplifted plinth, and invisible from the entrance of the building. The plinth is a welcoming gesture to the environment. Here are the entrance lobby, the restaurant and the cafe situated, with terraces where you can sit outside in the sun. The superstructure is formed by an oblique-shaped volume where the windows are carved in lopsided shapes. An aluminum plating in a light silver/bronze metallic color where a filigree free formed pattern in relief is made, forms the lining of the building. The pattern consists of bubbles and holes in a wavelike pattern. The metallic color, the perforations and the relief makes that the building has an ever changing appearance that changes with the light conditions throughout the day. The shaped volume is carried by plinth of nature-stone blocks and large boulders that anchor the building into the landscape. The interior is organized by a large monumental staircase, covered with wood. 

The staircase connects the three floors together to offer insight into the activities at different levels. The wide stairs can be used as display for clothes or as a exhibition area. On the top floor is a patio where you can relax. The sunlight falls through the large windows of the patio deep into the building. Because of the lopsided shaped windows there are many different spaces: high windows, low windows, crooked windows, windows ascending or descending windows, create a dynamic light show and a characteristic silhouette along the highway A9. 

For the Amstelveense architectuurprijs 2013 the Esprit Headoffice was price winning in two panels: one award based on the votes on the website dichtbij.nl, and one awarded by a jury of professionals, chaired by Indira van ’t Klooster.

Projets liés

  • Shanghai Suhe MixC World
    KOKAISTUDIOS
  • Welcome to the Stage!
    Kjellander Sjöberg
  • Hovering Kan-Too – Great Bay Area Center Showroom
    Wutopia Lab
  • Stockwell-Rodríguez Residence
    Belmont Freeman Architects
  • Haunsbergstraße | 1. Preis
    Architektinnen Schremmer.Jell ZT GmbH

Magazine

Autres projets de Bekkering Adams Architecten (from 2020: studioADAMS and Juliette Bekkering architecten)

Villa het Tolhuis
Zaltbommel, Pays-Bas
Fire Station
Doetinchem, Pays-Bas
Offices Dolingadreef
Amsterdam, Pays-Bas
Forensic Youth Psychiatric Clinic
Amsterdam, Pays-Bas
School Campus Peer
Peer, Belgique