social 01

Gantel, Den Hoorn, The Netherlands

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Combiwerk Delft is a Social Workplace
(SW) company and offers custom work to people who, due to a physical,
psychological or mental limitation, are not able to find a regular job. Besides
these limitations, the possibilities and talents are especially looked at. A
lot has changed and the emphasis lately has been shifted more to re-integration
into the regular work force. The job centre (career square) has become much
more important with respect to workplaces. Training is offered and tests are
done in the kitchen of the company restaurant, the cleaning service and the
office. Assembling, sorting and packing are done at the workplaces. Green and
environmental services are also an important branch of the social workplace.
The ambitious attitude of the company is striking. There is a strong, positive
culture. The new construction was intended to clearly reflect this. Despite the
limited resources and a clear wish for a sober approach, the building and decoration
had to radiate quality. It had to convey attention and involvement, in order to
stimulate a sense of pride in its users. An environment that supports that
valuable work is being done here, with special people.

secret garden
The building was designed by VMX
Architects and has a total surface area of 8500 m2. For the interior, which
includes 4000m2 of office spaces, a company restaurant, the career square,
entrance ways and a lobby, i29 interior architects was consulted. The central
space is a large atrium where the restaurant, the career square and the
reception are situated. The building itself is a completely closed, grey
monolithic shape. The same grey can also be found in the walls, floors and
ceilings of the interior. When you come in, you are surprised by colourful
islands, which are placed freely in the space and which only show themselves
after you enter the premises. In an almost fairytale-like way, the building
contains a secret garden full of colour and vitality, which is, of course, a
wonderful reference to the contrast between external appearances and inner
richness.

colourful islands
People are often pigeon-holed or end
up that way unintentionally. Such a ‘box’ is only a part of the story and often
there are many nuances. This was the foundation for the design theme to i29.
Everyone at Combiwerk is unique and
special, nuanced and varied. We have translated this theme into the interior in
an abstract way. The custom-designed furniture contains many ‘boxes’ where
every user (so to speak) can tell his own story. In various colour nuances and
variation possibilities, together with the carpets, they form colourful islands
in an otherwise grey world.
Most the users have a
psychological or mental limitation, to a smaller or larger degree, and are
therefore often very attached to their surroundings and routines (this was
shown in interviews we conducted). We were going to create a completely new
environment for people who generally are not fond of change. That is why an
important point of departure in the design was that, in tandem with all the new
things, old and authentic elements also had to return. This led us to the
collection of over 250 different second-hand wooden chairs that were restored
and re-used. Not only can everyone pick their favourite chair, they are also a
nice analogy for the variety of the unique people occupying the space.

social involvement
A social workplace must be social;
that was the starting point for all the parties involved. Social involvement
was therefore the main theme in the design and realisation on various levels.
At the level of the design, we aimed for empowerment by creating a serious and
distinguished interior. Not a nondescript backwater building, but something
sparkling, colourful and unique. We hope that this will contribute to a sense
of pride in the users. In terms of sustainability, where possible, we
aimed for recycling and re-use. All the wooden chairs in the atrium were bought
second-hand and restored by another SW-company, just like all the furniture for
the 4000m2 office space, including desks, chairs, cabinets and filing drawers.
A new colourful top layer was applied to the re-used furniture so that they are
as good as new and also fit beautifully into the colour spectrum in combination
with the carpets.

Social 01

SODAE House

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social 01

Gantel, Den Hoorn, The Netherlands

Other Projects by VMX ARCHITECTS

Social 01

SODAE House

social 01

Gantel, Den Hoorn, The Netherlands

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