Design Institute, Amsterdam
The Netherlands Design Institute was established in premises designed in 1861 by Cornelis Oudshoorn. During restoration the foundations and all wall, floor and roof structures were repaired and the extant historical details reinstated. The basement and main level of the rear annexes of two adjoining houses were combined and part of the floor of each upper level was removed. The resulting tall, narrow space now houses the ‘Collector’, a steel framework containing the library, the collection and the equipment. All work and conference rooms are linked directly to this Collector. A new stairtower at the core of the building replaces the entrance stair designed in 1954 by Mart Stam. A steel stair links the boardroom with the main events hall, the reception hall giving on to the garden, and the entrance with the aid of footbridges in blue glass. The interior is kept subdued. On the original parquet floors stand large tables, with the Collector obviating the need for storage units.
Client
City of Amsterdam
Architect
Benthem
Crouwel Architekten
Gross
floor area
935
m²
Start
design
1992
Start
construction
1993
Completion
1994
