In the old part of Amstelveen, dating from the '30s, an office building and a pavilion form the Bella Donna. The original buildings were designed in the '60s by the architect Webbers. They are situated on an island, surrounded by greenery and water, and accessible by bridge. The major renovation and expansion was the first step toward creating a high-quality office near the Stadshart Amstelveen.
The outline of the main building has been retained. The façade shell was demolished and redesigned, giving the building a totally different countenance. The serrated façade consists of alternating transparent and opaque panels, which give the building a very dynamic appearance on all sides. The building consists of three floors, the top floor being a penthouse. The layout of the building is fully flexible and can accommodate one to six tenants.
The pavilion has been demolished and re-designed. The new pavilion is transparent due to the extensive use of glass. In the heart of the pavilion, a patio is situated, surrounded by all the functions of the office buildings. The patio features an impressive movable glass roof of 8 meter x 12 meters, which offers the possibility to cover the patio. On the exterior, large architectural cantilevers have been used to allow natural shading. The 4-meter headroom and large glass façades ensure an open character and a connection with the park-like green. By adding an underground car park, the architects have more than doubled the number of parking spaces at the Bella Donna, without compromising the surrounding green area.
The greenery surrounding the Bella Donna was the inspiration for the sustainable redevelopment of the buildings. The Bella Donna received the GreenCalc A, the highest score in the leading environmental index for a building. The concrete structure of the existing building has been maintained. A high insulating façade with solar-control glass was created and solar cells were installed on the roof, as the installation of an energy roof offers great returns. The water that flows through the tubes in the roof is heated and can be used to heat the entire building. Moreover, the architects have installed a thermal energy storage.
Due to the profound, stylish and eco-friendly renovation design, Bella Donna once again has contemporary character and timeless beauty.