'De Schelde' office building
The original design of the refurbished Damen Shipyard’s listed building 'De Schelde', was hard to read by the many alterations over the years. GROUP A has been commissioned to restore the flavor of the original design, while leaving ample room for the integration of contemporary amenities. Later additions have been removed and monumental elements reinstated. Examples of these so called American industrial design inspired elements include the spacious entrance hall, the circular stairway and impressive atrium roof. The introduced contemporary amenities support the corporate identity through use of patterns, colours and materials, all with strong reference to the classical characteristics.
Historic atmosphere remaining most dominant
‘De Schelde’ office building, a gorgeous listed monument dating back to 1913, is thoroughly renovated and refurbished. The total Damen premises, situated on the waterfront in Vlissingen, consists of the monumental ‘De Schelde’ building*, a 1980s office building and a connecting section. The last round of renovations in the 1980s had left a distinctive stamp on the building’s style and atmosphere. The general impression was grey, closed and dated. In the design, GROUP A took the untouched historic interior elements as starting point for creating a strikingly impressive atrium. Certain characteristic elements have been fully restored. The dark wood panels adjoining the atrium, the glass roof of the atrium and the spiral staircase are examples. We introduced to the atrium floor, with its characteristic lines, new spandrels, light fittings and acoustic treatment as a reinterpretation of original elements. Other additions were subtle, ensuring that the historic atmosphere remaining the most dominant aspect.
A balance between classic and modern
The atrium offers visitors an impressive yet accessible welcome, including a high-quality reception desk and furniture for the wait-and-read area. The shapes and materials used here reference yachts and luxury ship interiors. The furniture in the classic period meeting rooms also reference these nautical themes. The new elements in the atrium guide visitors and employees naturally towards the new restaurant and the adjoining presentation room. A defining aspect of the design is the balanced union between the classic atrium and the modern restaurant and presentation room. The ochre shades and black highlights are consistently present.
Steel reference to navy ships
GROUP A replaced the connecting building with a new stairwell and elevated roof, connecting all the floors of the two buildings more effectively. The expressive steel staircase references the steel hulls of the navy ships that Damen builds and develops.
Rich history
The redesigned workplaces are crisply professional. The high ceilings have been made visible again and the visual link to the atrium has been restored. The refurbishment has given Damen a representative, modern and transparent work environment where employees can mingle in a relaxed setting again. This approach is appropriate for a company with such a rich history and shining future.
J.P. Stok
The De Schelde office building was designed by J.P. Stok for Royal Schelde, originally NV Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde. The design by Stok was based on an American industrial visual style with European details.
