ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

OFFICE BUILDING PEN

A. BONNEMA, 1977-1982, Helderseweg/Voltastraat 2a, Alkmaar

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Abe Bonnema

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:
Mien Ruys
Hans Veldhoen

BUILDING TYPE:
Office buildings

These premises of the provincial electricity company illustrate as no other office building the 'small-scale' ideals of the 1970s. The complex consists of a great many house-like elements loosely linked about a central reflecting pool. At the basic of this apparent chaos is a strict square grid which, using a limited number of precast concrete members for the structure, was to accommodate the greatest possible variation. It is at the same time a literal rendition of the analogy between building and city.