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Alphabet Building by MVRDV

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

Dutch architects MVRDV have designed this creative industries office block in Amsterdam that has letters of the alphabet cut out of the facade.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

Each cut-out is the window to an office unit and each letter signifies the address extension for the occupying business.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

On the east facade of the Alphabet Building a series of dotted windows spell out the number 52, relating to the address.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

All letters of the alphabet have been used apart from I and Q. The original design included Q (as shown in top image) but was later replaced by Z .

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV

More projects by MVRDV on Dezeen »

The following details are from MVRDV:


Alphabet Building Amsterdam

MVRDV designs creative industry hub

Amsterdam based project development corporation NIC started sale of the MVRDV designed Alphabet building. In Amsterdam small and mid-size creative companies have trouble finding suitable office space. The Alphabet building communicates through a clear exterior design which reveals on the East façade the house number and at the main façade its extension for each company, a letter of the alphabet. The interior is highly flexible and completed with a rough and pure finishing. The 3200m2 creative industry building will be completed in 2012 according to high energy efficiency standards.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV
  • On the East facade the house number, on the front facade its extension.

The creative industry has seemingly unrealistic demands when it comes to office locations: a incubator of creative ideas which is spacious and inspiring with a differentiating design at a great location with car access. The Alphabet building in the Amsterdam port refurbishment Minervahaven unites all these qualities. The former port is currently refurbished to become a creative hub.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV
  • Behind each letter is a flexible office unit

The building is on a relatively small site of 30 x 30 meters and consists of a transparent plinth with a compact office block on top. Behind each letter of the façade the building offers a flexible unit of 128m2, the units can be sold independently or as a series of letters. Design studio Thonik will occupy the top floor or the letters A to F. As it was impossible to put the entire alphabet on the façade the letters I and Q are missing: the IQ is inside the building.

Alphabet Building by MVRDV
  • Interior finishings are concrete, aluminium and steel

The interior finishing follows the demand of creative companies, large loft like spaces with a rough finishing: no double ceilings, exposed materials such as concrete, aluminium and steel. A number of sustainable technologies give the building an excellent energy profile. Parking is located inside the plinth, circulation and spacious outside areas at the back of the building.