location: Rembrandt Tower, Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA Amsterdam (Netherlands)
client: AKBANK N.V.
completion: Nov 2008
surface: 1.000 m²
volume: 3.000 m³
program: office
Photographer: Jörg Hempel Photodesign

AKBANK

is the new Netherlands Headquarters of the AKBANK in the Rembrandt Tower in Amsterdam.

The key element for the design is the concrete core of the building. The architects focused on creating a sculptural furniture element around the core, transforming it into the “core object”. The design targets to activate the spaces around the core. Illuminated horizontal stripes or bands border the core walls. In some specific areas, the bands grow larger and swell into elements. The arrangement of those elements follows a wind-mill shape, with the upper elements rotating clockwise, the lower elements rotating counter-clockwise around the core. This infinitive movement creates different unique perspectives at every specific position of the visitor. The forth element – time – took a key role in the designing process. The timeline is translated into the distance being covered by the visitor. The combination of illuminated stripes reflecting in the glossy surfaces and the rotation in opposite directions create the different shapes and layers of material that finally create the different spatial perceptions.

The sculpture origins inside the concrete core in the elevator hall with an illuminated corian logo wall inviting visitors to step into the lounge of the bank. The dynamic shapes of the logo wall generate a certain motion that moves along the four sides of the concrete core, doing a 360° rotation. The swollen-out elements integrate functions such as wardrobes or storage cabinets in order to create the guiding and visual benchmark aspect of the sculpture.

At dagli atelier d’architecture, we believe that a consequent design gives the firm the opportunity to identify itself through the location. A consequent design means for us to create and develop an architectural concept for the building and the design objects. It is crucial to make this concept understandable for the public. That’s why we realized the AKBANK agency using the unitary color and shape concept that generates with its neutral colors a modern-calm, sovereign organized impression.