Setback to increase public space. Suitsupply HQ by BIG
23/02/2024.
[Amsterdam] Netherlands
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
Architecture studio BIG has completed the master plan for Kop Zuidas located in the south of Amsterdam, which will serve as the new headquarters of the Suitsupply brand. The new building is located next to Amsterdam's main transport hub RAI, in front of the Nhow Amsterdam RAI Hotel by OMA, in a space that marks the real change of Europaboulevard, creating a monument that serves as an entrance to the city.
Suitsupply is a luxury men's fashion store with trendy suits, two-pieces, footwear and accessories. The new building provides multifunctional spaces for two types of offices; one in a tower and another in a horizontal block, in addition to a space dedicated to a store and rest areas for the brand's workers.
Suitsupply is a luxury men's fashion store with trendy suits, two-pieces, footwear and accessories. The new building provides multifunctional spaces for two types of offices; one in a tower and another in a horizontal block, in addition to a space dedicated to a store and rest areas for the brand's workers.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Site floor plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Site floor plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic elevation plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic elevation plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Schematic axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Axonometric plan. Suitsupply HQ by BIG.
Suitsupply HQ designed by BIG is characterized by acquiring a gradual setback on the front façade that frees up the front area of the building and creates a green pocket dedicated to the public realm, and by generating a sequence of terraces on the roofs located in the rear providing areas rest for building users.
Dense plantings of trees and shrubs on lower floors offer protection from the wind, while grass and shrubs on higher floors allow for greater sun exposure.
The gradual setback of the south façade is achieved through a volumetric push towards the main road to attract passers-by and gain visibility for passengers arriving from Amsterdam's RAI trains.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Dense plantings of trees and shrubs on lower floors offer protection from the wind, while grass and shrubs on higher floors allow for greater sun exposure.
The gradual setback of the south façade is achieved through a volumetric push towards the main road to attract passers-by and gain visibility for passengers arriving from Amsterdam's RAI trains.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Description of project by BIG
The new Suitsupply headquarters is part of Kop Zuidas masterplan located in the south of Amsterdam. Sitting directly adjacent to the main transport hub of Amsterdam RAI, the site punctuates the actual shift of Europaboulevard, creating a gateway moment in the city.
BIG's proposal is a multifunctional hybrid of two office typologies; a tower and a horizontal block. A gradual setback in the front façade liberates the front area of the building and creates a green pocket dedicated to the public realm. A sequence of terraces in the back provides breakout areas for the company's employees.
Suitsupply HQ by BIG. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
The HQ's south-facing façade is pushed back and oriented towards the main orbital motorway, attracting passersby and gaining visibility from passengers arriving from Amsterdam RAI trains or driving from Europaboulevard. The stepped-back façade also creates an entrance for the building itself, while serving as both a passage for pedestrians and a traffic barrier for residents in the Kop Zuidas community.
The Suitsupply store on the 2nd floor is visible from the street and hangs cantilevered to allow for a green urban pocket to emerge as a gentle entrance into the building.
To ensure an efficient, robust, and healthy work environment for Suitsupply's staff, the building hosts a sequence of terraces with gradual setbacks on the upper-level floors, allowing for relaxing moments during the work day. Dense tree and bush plantings on the lowest terrace floors offer wind protection, while grass and shrubs on the highest terrace floors resist the elements and allow for higher sun exposure.
More information
Architects
BIG. Partners in charge.- Bjarke Ingels, Jakob Lange, Finn Norkjæer.
Project designer.- Jakub Wlodarczyk.
Project manager.- Dominic Black.
Project architect.- Tyrone Cobcroft.
Project leader, interiors.- Francesca Portesine.
Project designer.- Jakub Wlodarczyk.
Project manager.- Dominic Black.
Project architect.- Tyrone Cobcroft.
Project leader, interiors.- Francesca Portesine.
Project team
BIG Ideas.- Jakob Lange, Tore Banke, Kristoffer Negendahl, Mark Pitman.
Project team.- Andre Enrico Cassettari Zanolla, Äsmund Skeie, Dalma Ujvari, Dominika Trybe, Duncan Horswill, Edna Omeragic, Evelina Olechno, Federico Salmaso, Geoffrey Eberle, Hongduo Zhou, Hyojin Lee, Jakub Klimes, James Ross Mcrae, Jo Hee Lee, Katrine Sandstrom, Kekoa Charlot, Kevin Westerveld, Ksymena Borczynska, Lukas Molter, Mark Korosi, Matteo Baggiarini, Matteo Dragone, Matthew Thomson, Norbert Nadudvari, Raoul Skrein, Rihards Dzelme, Roberto Fabbri, Santtu Johannes Hyvarinen, Sebastian Liszka, Seda Yildiz, Soren Aagaard, Sunwoong Choi, Sze Ki Wong, Ulla Hornsyld, Victoria Ross-Thompson, Vinish Sethi, Vladislav Saprunenko, Yasmina Yehia.
Project team.- Andre Enrico Cassettari Zanolla, Äsmund Skeie, Dalma Ujvari, Dominika Trybe, Duncan Horswill, Edna Omeragic, Evelina Olechno, Federico Salmaso, Geoffrey Eberle, Hongduo Zhou, Hyojin Lee, Jakub Klimes, James Ross Mcrae, Jo Hee Lee, Katrine Sandstrom, Kekoa Charlot, Kevin Westerveld, Ksymena Borczynska, Lukas Molter, Mark Korosi, Matteo Baggiarini, Matteo Dragone, Matthew Thomson, Norbert Nadudvari, Raoul Skrein, Rihards Dzelme, Roberto Fabbri, Santtu Johannes Hyvarinen, Sebastian Liszka, Seda Yildiz, Soren Aagaard, Sunwoong Choi, Sze Ki Wong, Ulla Hornsyld, Victoria Ross-Thompson, Vinish Sethi, Vladislav Saprunenko, Yasmina Yehia.
Collaborators
Brink, INBO, Van Rossum, Techniplan, Nieman, Kontek.
Client
Suitsupply.
Area
19,800 sqm.
Location
Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Photography
BJARKE INGELS
Bjarke Ingels (born in Copenhagen, 1974) studied architecture at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen and at the School of Architecture of Barcelona, obtaining his degree as an architect in 1998. He is the founder of the BIG architecture studio - (Bjarke Ingels Group), studio founded in 2005, after co-founding PLOT Architects in 2001 with his former partner Julien de Smedt, whom he met while working at the prestigious OMA studio in Rotterdam.
Bjarke has designed and completed award-winning buildings worldwide, and currently his studio is based with venues in Copenhagen and New York. His projects include The Mountain, a residential complex in Copenhagen, and the innovative Danish Maritime Museum in Elsinore.
With the PLOT study, he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2004, and with BIG he has received numerous awards such as the ULI Award for Excellence in 2009. Other prizes are the Culture Prize of the Crown Prince of Denmark in 2011; and Along with his architectural practice, Bjarke has taught at Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University and Rice University and is an honorary professor at the Royal Academy of Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen.
In 2018, Bjarke received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Dannebrog granted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. He is a frequent public speaker and continues to give lectures at places such as TED, WIRED, AMCHAM, 10 Downing Street or the World Economic Forum. In 2018, Bjarke was appointed Chief Architectural Advisor by WeWork to advise and develop the design vision and language of the company for buildings, campuses and neighborhoods around the world.
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