the question
Urban Interest and Urban Climate Architects are working closely together on the transformation of an existing concrete office building on Plesmanlaan in Leiden. It is a complex project, owing to the existing concrete structure and the limited possibilities for locating shafts.
During the environmental permit phase, Urban Interest was looking for a fresh perspective, a second opinion on several aspects of the design, including the corridor layout, several floor plans and the common areas. Could the scheme be improved further? And were there opportunities or solutions that had not yet been considered?
the approach
Urban Climate Architects was first informed by Urban Interest and Boltt about the scope of the study. After working for several years as part of a design or construction team, it can be difficult to maintain a fully objective view of earlier design decisions. For that reason, Urban Climate Architects was also interested in the outcome of the study.
Boltt began by examining the corridor layout of the building. Could limited structural interventions bring daylight into the ends of the corridors? And could repositioning the corridors lead to a different type of residential layout? We also reviewed the location of the bicycle parking area and the layout of the entrance zone.
Boltt then reviewed six floor plans with which Urban Interest was not fully satisfied. Within the given external contours of the building and the fixed shaft positions, we proposed a number of alternative layouts. We also explored several less conventional solutions, including a studio with a box bed.
“In a few focused steps, we improved the building’s layout and arrived at a clear, high-quality design.”
Linda Nijhof, designer at Boltt
The result
Urban Interest responded positively to the analysis and the alternative floor plans. The study introduced several options that had not previously been considered. As a result, a number of the floor plans were revised in the construction drawings submitted for the environmental permit.
The proposed change to the corridor structure was not implemented, as it would have had too great an impact on the ongoing process. Even so, Urban Interest found it valuable to consult an expert who had not previously been involved in the project. The second opinion also confirmed, on several points, that earlier decisions taken by the design team had been the right ones.
client
Urban Interest
year
2023
services
Plan Optimization
design
Urban Climate Architects
Need a fresh perspective?
We work with you to identify the best solutions and explore viable alternatives. We strengthen the project wherever possible. Would you like to know more?
Call Jurriën at 06 – 14 85 35 74
Or feel free to email jurrien@boltt.nu
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