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Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H Architecture

Rotterdam studio 24H Architecture has completed this office building in the Netherlands that has a solid concrete and asphalt south facade and a patterned timber north facade.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The building, named Rijkswaterstaat Assen, is located between woodland and a highway with the contrasting elevations intended to mediate between the two.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

Rainwater from the accessible terraced roof is directed to drain over parts of the grey stone, encouraging moss and plants to grow on the building.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

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Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

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Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The following information is from the architects:


Project Text - General

For Rijkswaterstaat, who are building and maintaining highways, waterways and nature, 24H-architecture designed the new districts head office along the highway in Assen, The Netherlands.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The ambition of the client and the architect was to create a sustainable building that explicitly shows the identity of Rijkswaterstaat.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The concept was developed with the idea to represent their three core activities and also integrate the typical ingredients of the site:

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The south facade of the building is brutally solid.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

Through its mass and its horizontal openings, the wall will block the heat of the sun and at the same time stop the noise of the next door highway.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The facade, made of concrete and asphalt with lines and patterns, is an abstract representation of a highway.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

As the rainwater is directed from the roof over the facade, in time, the facade will become green as moss and plants will start growing.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

This way all 3 aspects of Rijkswaterstaat (road, water and green) are represented in this facade, that will develop in time.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

At the north facade a light wooden construction creates maximum flexibility and openness.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

This facade and its wooden beams form the base for the open layout of the office and the central void where employees of Rijkswaterstaat can meet and exchange knowledge; the social durability of the building.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The green roof terrace also provides the possibility to gather.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The design team looked for the best integration of all disciplines.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

All technical facilities are integrated into the prefabricated wooden walls and floors.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

This way an effective building time as well as a maximum of space is realised.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

The wooden floor will be directly used as a ceiling and the air will flow through the Climalevel system directly into the offices.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture

With the Thermal Energy Storage, solar panels on the roof and the use of fsc certified wood, the building gets a class A level in the Greencalc calculation method and could also be classified as a BREEAM Excellent building.

Rijkswaterstaat Assen by 24H architecture