HOW FORM MEETS FUNCTION IN THE NEW CITY HALL OF VENLO
- Feb 26, 2016
- 2 min read
For my minor Get Visual I'm traveling to Venlo three times a week by train. The first time when the train crossed the Maas, I saw this big, green, imposing building that was still under construction. I stared at it and wonder what it was. It turned out to be the new City Hall of Venlo: a completely cradle2cradle building that will improve the productivity and contributes to a better environment.
I visited the website to find out more about this project, because my preference as lifestyle professional goes out to the living industry and how to find the right combination between form and function. And I think that the City Hall of Venlo is the perfect example of how to optimize buildings.
In the first place, the old City Hall was demolished for two reasons:
1. it was technically no longer in good condition: it was an old and dilapidated building.
2. the design prohibited the organization: small offices and endless corridors.
So the municipality decided to build a new sustainable office that contributes to a better world and that creates a better environment for the employees with improved productivity as a result.
The design started with the vision that a building should serve the people, and not the other way around. I find it very inspiring that from this point of view the values that come along with the municipality are not only carried out by the services, but also are visible in the design of the building.
After watching this video I saw how the design contributes to a better working environment. I think it's a really good idea that they have a separate entrance that can be used at night. I can imagine that it makes the people working there feel safer, and for the visitors it can feel more personal. It creates a more intimate setting, while during the day the space is very welcome with all the people being there at the same time. The work-floors are arranged so it responds to flexible working. The old building at small offices with endless corridors so colleagues barely could find each other.
The new working areas provides in the living room feeling, focus corners, meeting rooms and all in an open and transparent way. The cradle2cradle and ecological aspects that are implemented in this design are having a double function. For instance light: it's designed so natural light can come in as far as possible, which reduces the use of artificial light. Less artificial light is better for the planet and natural light boosts the satisfaction, productivity and health of the employees.
The building will be opened mid 2016.
Comments