Inauguration of Liander Westpoort

Design agency De Zwarte Hond proudly introduces its project for Alliander, now housed in its sustainable new premises. The new regional offices designed by De Zwarte Hond on the Noordzeeweg, in Amsterdam Westpoort, are circular and flexible, with a timber construction. The ensemble consists of an office building, workshops, warehouses, test facilities, educational, and parking buildings (total of 21,000m²), for 700 employees.

Sustainable regional office with a wooden construction

Together with clients Alliander, IMd, Copper8, and DGMR, De Zwarte Hond formulated the sustainability ambitions resulting in high flexibility, scalability, and modularity. Sustainable materials such as wood were used as much as possible, and harmful substances like glue, PU foam or sealant were used as little as possible.

The office building and training facilities have an all-timber construction, designed to be flexible and to create a healthy working environment. Thanks to its detachable structural set-up, the parking building can grow or shrink. The facades are made of weather-resistant Corten steel, rendering the regional office resilient for the future.

Industrial architecture

The buildings and interspaces are positioned with rhythmic alternations on the plot, like a barcode, with the office building as a height accent, visible from the A5. All parts of the program received equal attention. Work buildings and storage areas have been designed with the same care as the office building, and together they form a robust ensemble evoking memories of industrial architecture’s peak moments.

Stairs encourage meetings and interactions

Inside the office building, its interior, with a large atrium and wooden central staircases, creates an environment that encourages meetings and interactions. A unique ‘wandering staircase’ connects each floor in a different place, providing an exciting and adventurous route through the office.

Example of sustainability

The building is an example of sustainability. It is gas-free and energy-neutral thanks to 3.435m² of solar panels and thermal energy storage. Since the construction is made of timber, 560 tonnes of CO² have been stored. Additionally, much attention was paid to cost reduction and the reuse of materials, contributing to a circular economy.

Biodiverse and nature-inclusive

A biodiverse landscape plan is inviting to people and animals. Rich planting around and on the buildings (30% of the facade is green) provides a habitat for insects, birds, amphibians, and small mammals. Rainwater is stored locally on-site and is used for watering plants.

A circular, climate-adaptive, and nature-inclusive environment

Alliander consciously opted for sustainability and transparency and, with this regional office, is contributing to a circular, climate-adaptive, and nature-inclusive environment. Three Alliander companies will be located on the site as of the end of May 2023: grid operator Liander, technical specialist Qirion, and integrated energy solutions provider Kenter. Alliander’s Westpoort regional office was designed by De Zwarte Hond in collaboration with IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs, DGMR, De Urbanisten, COAREinterieur, and Copper8, among others, and was built by Dura Vermeer.