With its 23 floors and height of 90 m, The Rock, located on Claude Debussylaan (80-134) and Benjamin Brittenstraat, is one of the tallest buildings in Zuidas. The office tower block is part of Mahler4, a subzone of Zuidas. The programme for this subzone comprises a mixture of offices, housing, retail and public space.
Design
The urban design concept developed by architects Cie. stipulated that the buildings in Mahler4 should follow a classic façade structure, with a plinth, a central section and a crown. In The Rock, this results in a design featuring irregular elements made of glass, aluminium, stone and concrete. Partly thanks to the ‘rotated’ blocks, with lightweight and heavier materials overlapping and flowing into each other, the vertical sections of the building have their own character and appeal. The uppermost section looks heavier than the lower part and the erratic design resembles a rock.
Because De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek was the building’s only principal tenant, the interior could be perfectly tailored to meet this law firm’s specific needs. The aim was for a warm, comfortable and presentable office, which is why natural stone, wood and brass were chosen as materials. The finishing of the offices was kept relatively simple.
Renovation
The departure of the tenant in early 2024 has given the owner DEKA an opportunity to renovate the building and improve its sustainability. When the renovation is completed, the building will meet modern (energy-efficient) requirements. The building is also being adapted to accommodate several different tenants.
Interior
Architect Christiaan Coepijn from Cushman & Wakefield Project & Development Services has collaborated with interior architect Claudio Varone on a design for the renovation. In addition to the interior upgrade and removal of certain facilities installed specifically for the law firm, the kitchen and restaurant facilities are also being relocated.
Exterior
Only minor changes are being made to the exterior of the building. In preparation for the future Brittenpassage, a small awning will be added above the existing entrance on the side facing north-east and on the southern façade, an existing turnstile is being removed, the current entrances merged and the emergency exit moved slightly.
Details of original building
- Start of construction: 2009
- Completed: 2010
- Size: 33,500 sq. m. gfa, offices, auditorium, library, restaurant (23 floors and 90 m in height)
- Commissioning authority: Mahler 4 Consortium
- Architect: Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects BV (EEA)
- Contractor: G&S Bouw
Details of renovation
- Start of renovation: August 2024
- Completion: expected to be in late 2025
- Commissioning authority: Westinvest (DEKA)
- Project & cost management: Arcadis
- Architect: Cushman & Wakefield PDS in collaboration with Claudio Varone interior design
Source: www.gebouwdin.amsterdam.nl
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