Waterschapshuis Hollandse Delta

The new main building of the Hollandse Delta water board reflects the essence of the water board at all levels, outside and inside. For example, the sturdy building mass radiates Dutch sobriety. It symbolises an honest, reliable, modern and open organisation, where people work together professionally. For enough and clean drinking water, and the protection against too much water.

The reason for the new building was a reorganisation, in which four water boards and a purification board were merged into water board Hollandse Delta. The solid main building in Ridderkerk marked the start of the new organisation.

Inviting atrium as a meeting place

The striking atrium forms the heart of the building and serves as a central meeting place for employees. All offices are located around it, with openings to this atrium. The circular building forms a ring of bright workspaces with beautiful views and interconnections. This creates a compact working environment, where colleagues work close together. This encourages and facilitates cooperation. Besides open office floors with flexible workplaces, employees can also use a central cluster of meeting rooms, relaxation areas and concentration booths.

Energy-efficient and pleasant indoor climate

The glass roof creates a bright working environment; daylight has free rein. Half of the roof is equipped with blinds and daylighting, making the indoor climate manageable and influencing the amount of light entering the building. Concrete core activation combined with heat and cold storage in the ground ensure an exceptionally energy-efficient and healthy indoor climate. Low-maintenance materials, low-energy lighting and daylight-dependent regulation have also been used. The Waterschapshuis thus contributes to a sustainable and liveable society.

Everything connected

The Water Board House has a clearly recognisable building form, which fits the identity of the Water Board in terms of design and appearance: modern and reliable. The building is constructed of traditional Dutch brick, tapering upwards and with friendly rounded corners. It lies like a bastion on the water. Sturdy and solid on the outside, open and light on the inside. Lifted slightly above ground level to accommodate an underground car park. A generous staircase connects the reception area to the atrium at the heart of the building. The company restaurant is on the first floor and also has an important meeting function. The architecture blends seamlessly with the interior throughout.

Building design underlines public character

The building design expresses the public character of the water board. Thus, visitors walk via the monumental staircase across the void to the exhibition area - with water board-related historical collections - on the top floor. The outdoor area, laid out by the water board itself, is also freely accessible to everyone. A dike, polder ditch and nature-friendly banks turn the grounds into a beautiful and attractive nature area. A polder, befitting the water board.

Great involvement ensures widely supported design

All decisions on the design of the building, including the interior, were broadly coordinated and supported internally. The knowledge and expertise present within the water board was striking, but so was the great involvement and effective way in which everything was organised. A distinctive way of working, which guided all design processes.

Award

BNA Best Building of the Year 2009 - Nomination