On Wednesday afternoon, we set aside the projects we're currently designing and headed out. In two coaches, we travelled to Leiden and The Hague to see how our plans took shape and are taking shape in practice.
dynamic
In Leiden, we strolled past three cepezed-designed buildings at the Bio Science Park before arriving at Plus Ultra Leiden, where we were welcomed by Rob van Overbeek of Kadans Science Partners. The building's dynamic character, with its zigzagging staircases, was uplifting. Also the friendly yet chic felt lamella ceiling, the futuristic stainless-steel locker wall, and other beautiful details excited us. As befits true architects, we touched all the materials.
impressive height
We had already seen the requisite renders of the Eenheidsbureau, that is under construction. Yet the reality commanded respect. The interplay of voids and skylights was already palpable despite the scaffolding, and how impressively high the void at the entrance was! The complexity of the project also became tangible on site: the highly diverse programme places specific demands on, for example, technology, lighting and safety.
safety
In the site hut Gijs Leffers of BAM explained the aspect of safety on the construction site, which currently employs about 1,000 people a day. The most common incidents have to do with falling objects, he explained. His colleague Marleen Hokke, a technical developer at BAM, pointed out examples of aspects in the execution design that required adjustments, after which an insightful discussion ensued about the responsibilities during each project phase - and from one phase to the other.
More work excursions are planned for September and October and we will then also address a particular theme.
Would you like to know more about the projects?
→ go to our Plus Ultra Leiden page
→ go to our Eenheidsbureau Den Haag page
out and about with our office
