Arcardis subsidiary works to design new global headquarters in Netherlands

An Arcadis subsidiary has been recruited to assist in the design of the consulting firm's new head office in the Netherlands. CallisonRTKL, which will take the 20th floor of the building upon its completion, will work with Powerhouse Company and G&S Vastgoed to design and develop the space. The architectural firm has already released plans for “The Beacon” building, which will boast a variety of sustainability features, when construction begins in 2018.

Sustainable office space has been deemed as a must-have for executives seeking to boost their corporate responsibility profiles through making their operations sustainable, while improving their cost profiles - including Deloitte in Amsterdam's Zuidas and EY in Sydney. The move toward sustainable offices comes with a host of benefits, from a lower greenhouse gas and reduced environmental impact, to lower energy costs and facilities that encourage healthy staff behaviour. Several standards have arisen in recent years to audit efforts, including BREEAM and WELL.

While many organisations are keen to move into sustainable buildings to meet their needs, some professional services firms are taking a hand in designing their own future office space with sustainability in mind. One such effort has been made by design consulting firm CallisonRTKL, a subsidiary of Arcadis. The firm recently released its artistic rendering “The Beacon”, designed for a space in Amsterdam's Zuidas business district. The area – which is well known for its housing of key business headquarters in the city – will see a new 20 storey building rise.

In the development of its own greener headquarters, subsidiary CallisonRTKL will work with architects of the Powerhouse Company and developer G&S Vastgoed among others, to design and build the new space – and will become a 'launching tenant' in the building, filling the 20th floor with its personnel.

While no final decision has been made on the final features, current elements under consideration include a living roof, photovoltaic technology, solar fins and wind turbines. In addition, the design aims to maximally leverage sunlight, create healthy walking spaces and become BREEAM compliant.

Construction is expected to commence in 2018, with the building becoming operational in 2021. The building, aside from its office features, will include street level retail, residential units and a restaurant.

The goal is to create a unified, completely integrated development within the community, according to Jorge Beroiz ARB, RIBA, a design lead on the project. “We think the building strikes a traditional chord but is unabashedly contemporary in its geometry, use of materials and integration of technology.”

“Arcadis has been working on this development for quite some time, and I’m pleased to announce this project win and exciting development for the company so early in my tenure with Arcadis,” said Peter Oosterveer, CEO of Arcadis since Spring 2017. “This will be our global headquarters. The project must fully embody our core values as a global steward of the environment.”

Showing intent to expand its own sustainability advisory capacities, Arcadis recently acquired Environmental Strategies in Australia.