DE KEY HQ, AMSTERDAM
Lieven De Key, a Flemish architect, made his mark as the City Architect of Haarlem. Now, many years later, the headquarters of the namesake housing cooperative is nestled on our street, Hoogte Kadijk, in the heart of Amsterdam. DELVA designed and created the garden at the De Key headquarters. A parking area was transformed into a green urban oasis, extending the inspiring work environments inside. This office garden, a green haven, borders the open water of the Nieuwe Vaart. The garden’s striking features are the spectacular tree poles, which seem to catapult the greenery into the air, adding a surprising dimension to the building ensemble. These tree poles provide a green view for the offices on higher floors, connecting every workplace in the building with greenery, fostering a pleasant work climate for everyone.
The garden serves as the heart of the office ensemble, connecting the spaces on the ground floor. Informal meeting areas such as the communal restaurant, community room, and the separately programmable Worklab benefit from the addition of a multifunctional green garden room, enhancing the functionality of De Key’s HQ.
The central theme of the transformation is connecting the spaces on the ground floor, where unique spots for meeting and informal consultations are situated. The diverse spaces, use of natural materials, transparency, an abundance of daylight, and ample greenery enhance the well-being of users and residents.
The courtyard extends the adjoining work environments on the ground floor, seamlessly connecting to the garden through transparent walls. This plant-rich oasis is both inspiring and calming, adjacent to the open water of the Nieuwe Vaart. A green carpet runs from facade to facade, contrasting beautifully with the buildings.
The garden’s focal points are two tree poles, creating a pleasant vertical element and offering a green experience from the higher floors. The shaded garden is planted with a selection of shade-loving ferns, hostas, geraniums, brunnera, and Japanese anemones. In spring, blooming bulb plants bring the garden to life.
Architecture offices involved in the design: Studioninedots
Location: Hoogte Kadijk179-189, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Design year: 2017
Year Completed: 2022
