NautaDutilh Offices – Rotterdam
Fokkema & Partners have designed the offices of Dutch law firm NautaDutilh, located in Rotterdamn, Netherlands.
Among the international branches of NautaDutilh, the office in Rotterdam was to maintain its own distinctive identity, building on almost 300 years of history in the city. Tough, robust and no-nonsense, unafraid of change and innovation: this seems somewhat at odds with characteristics as warm and chic which the lawyers also sought-after in their new interior. Fokkema & Partners have been able to create a coherent interior design on the top nine floors of the new construction FIRST Rotterdam in which the two emotional worlds have merged and are represented as one.
In translating requirements for transparency, the design has become even more dynamic and social. While the tower is shaped like an “H”, you are treated to even more than the incredible views over the city: you also see the building itself and your colleagues. By introducing just the right amount of separation between offices, the dynamic and open feel does not interfere with the need for intimacy while handling earnest matters. The use of robust, warm and natural materials in addition to the single glazed partitions attributes to achieving a surprisingly homely and exceptionally comfortable atmosphere.
On the office floors, the building cores are decorated with oak lamella. The rhythmic design approach further includes the entrance desk, room numbers, the signing and cabinet handles. Topping out at 130 meters, the 2 penthouse floors include a conference centre, an innovation centre, a restaurant and a bar, the latter with outdoor terraces. Here, it was decided not to apply the timber lamella on the core. To guarantee the privacy of the clients the walls of the meeting rooms are now not glazed but lined with walnut lamella. The building core has a robust plaster finish with a touch of pearl. The combination of contrasting materials makes the office feel chic and cool at the same time, while the transparent design also instigates communication in a traditionally privacy oriented business.
Design: Fokkema & Partners
Design Team: Laura Atsma, Marita Bijlsma, Erik Wolsky
Photography: Horizon Photoworks
