Centraal Beheer, Apeldoorn
Herman Hertzberger, 1967, 1970-72
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Instead of a single colossal built volume, a more transparent conglomerate of numerous smaller components was achieved. These spaces were intended to resemble street-like areas. They are high and narrow, with illumination from above as in the traditional shopping arcade.

This type of cross-section evokes the alleyways of old cities, and this sensation is further intensified by the use of materials for the flooring and walls similar to that accustomed to be seen in external situations.


The office spaces are conceived as large rooms, forming part of the complete building envelope, yet articulated in such a way that a group or an individual can establish a personal identity. The open relationship between floors is intended to create a feeling of belonging.

 

The surprising effects resulting from the people working in the Central Beheer is the way they have arranged and personalized their office space with colors of their own choice, potted plants and objects of their interest.

This was the result of both the finishing that was deliberately left to the users of the building, as well as, the competence of the form of the space itself allowing for such oppurtunities. 

The round openings in the prefabricated main beams, as can be seen in the figure, were not only intended for ventilation but they also stimulate unexpected imaginative uses.  

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