Geometrically Simple, Yet Structurally Sophisticated
Denkkamer architectuur & onderzoek
When KeenSystems decided that their new headquarters would be built in the village of Gemert and not in the city of Eindhoven, it did so to be close to the lush and tranquil landscape of the countryside. The telecom provider wanted to show that technology has advanced to such a degree, that even a circle of land next to a creek in a small town could be as connected to the world as any office in the middle of a metropolitan center. Their technology does not necessarily need a physical relation with a city or a high-tech campus. The software is developed, tested and maintained from Gemert. The hardware is located in Amsterdam on top of world’s most relevant internet hubs.
The earth berm which acts as a sound barrier follows a ring road and protects the residential area behind it from the noise of the traffic. In this way, they aspire to strengthen the present green character of the area by providing a building that seemingly disappears at the right angle and time of day. The earth berm ends at the main access road for the residential area, where the office is placed on top. The main entrance is also located there and can be reached by a path that winds up over the berm.
The building consists of three floors, with each floor having its own specific function which can be read in both the interior as well as the exterior. The sunken ground floor accommodates supportive function for the offices. In addition to these services and storage facilities, a communal relaxation and video game area has been created inside the sound barrier.
The first floor, the largest rectangular volume, accommodates all operational teams. The volume is oriented precisely in such a way that the long facades focus on the green-lined pond in the northwest and the historical farmland (Bolle Akker in Dutch) in the southeast. On the second floor, a mirrored box accommodates the conference room and canteen with adjacent outdoor space amidst the grass roof.
Both the structure and application of materials are intended to emphasise the hi-tech character of KeenSystems. The volume laying on top of the sound barrier is characterized by a steel spaceframe in the facades which allow the volume to cantilever dramatically. The copper-coloured anodized aluminium and the mirrored glass are detailed and constructed with surgical precision.
The architecture is geometrically simple, yet structurally sophisticated. This dual character gives the project a complexity that is representative of what the company is saying about itself: capable of delivering advanced technologies with ease from anywhere in the country.
All rooms in the building can be heated and cooled through both fluid floor and air systems. The longitudinal facades are facing south and north. Therefore the heat and cooling loads in the adjacent rooms varies. The intelligent climate control system is able to exchange natural heating and cooling between the various rooms. For example, rooms on the north side can benefit from the heating of spaces on the south side and vice versa.
Project: KeenSystems / Location: Gemert, NL / Architect: Denkkamer architectuur & onderzoek / Project team: Dennis van de Rijdt, Peter Verschuren, Celine Hendriks, Leonique Winnen / Structural engineer: Archimedes bouwadvies / Advisors: FJ Swinkels advies, Bouwkundig Bureau Berg, Domen Consultany / Contractor: Bouwbedrijf Hendriks Gemert, Vorsselmans / Gross area: 572m² / Gross content: 2,112m² / Design: 2017 / Completion: 2020 / Photograph: René de Wit, Denkkamer
