Mediahaven

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Mediahaven

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Firm

V8 architects

Type

Commercial › Office
Cultural › Hall/Theater

YEAR

2013

In July 2013 the building ‘Mediahaven’ in the harbor Minerva in Amsterdam is completed, designed by architects V8. The design refers to the scale and character of the ports; robust details determine the interior and exterior. Concrete, steel and glass make up the palette of materials. The essence of the television studio, namely the flexible black box, is the leitmotiv for the architecture of the building.

The western port of Amsterdam with a rough appearance and beautiful vistas will transform the coming years to a vital urban environment with creative companies and institutions. ‘Mediahaven’ herein is an important stepping stone and is realized to meet the growing demand for television production in Amsterdam.

What makes ‘Mediahaven’ different is that it is shows ‘behind the scenes’ of making television in combination with a theatrical experience by the audience. The building includes the working places from screenwriter to TV presenter in one building. The presence of audience at shooting emphasizes the open character and makes the dynamics of the television felt to both creator and spectator.

The entrance with stairs acting as a red carpet is linked to the atrium. This space functions as a foyer during TV recording functions, and is visible as a beacon from the harbor. The foyer can be opened through industrial folding doors 5 meters high and connects the studio with the harbor. The fully glazed façade combined with the atrium gives each user a splendid view and provides a transparent and inspiring working environment.

The rough expression of the interior is made possible by combining traditional building methods and integrated installations. The construction method is based on the principle that the concrete construction is the architectural finishing. It expresses how the structure is built, including exposed formwork planking in the ceilings. The climate installations including air are integrated in the floors. The concrete skeleton thus offers heating and cooling through thermal mass with heat and cold storage in the soil. The lighting is combined with baffles and forms an integral part of the interior. One single compact core comprises all facilities and provides access to the garage, the production areas and the changing rooms. The design allows for a future extension with offices above the 1,200 m2 studio.

The consequent design of the building, the consistent use of concrete as a building material and the spacious dimensions gives the users of the studios and offices the ability to adapt to future needs and requirements. These qualities, along with industrial details and great location will give the dynamics of television a permanent theatrical place.