ABN AMRO's 'Infinity' workplace concept: An endless cycle of innovative reuse
You enter a pleasant green space when the elevator doors open on the second floor of the ABN AMRO office in Amstelveen. Moniek Schattevoet (ABN AMRO, former programme manager for the workplace concept), Ruud Hoppenbrouwers (architect at Fokkema & Partners Architecten) and Jochem van de Ven (account manager at Zwartwoud) discuss the creation of the new ABN AMRO workplace pilot named ‘Infinity’.
Moniek: Sustainability is a key aspect of our strategy. Our purpose is ‘Banking for better, for generations to come’. We aim to assist our customers in making a sustainable transition and also set a good example in doing so ourselves. This commitment is reflected in our efforts to make our buildings and workplace concept more sustainable. With the assistance of Fokkema & Partners.
Ruud: We were excited about ABN AMRO's call for tender, because it is very ambitious. They brought up several social themes that you often hear about in the evening news: circular, inclusive and healthy working. As an architecture firm, we strive to be at the forefront of these areas
Moniek: The floor where we are now, called ‘Infinity’, serves as a test. The insights gained here will be used to the further develop the final workplace concept: the building on the Foppingadreef in Amsterdam. This 80,000-square-metre office building is currently undergoing renovation and sustainable redevelopment. The pilot enabled us to assess whether the interior concept is feasible and meets the set ambitions. It also allowed us to evaluate what our employees think of it and whether it meets their needs.
Ruud: This design caters to current workplace needs. Modern workers desire two things: the ability to collaborate in a team environment and the option to have privacy. Upon entering, you enter the ‘home zone’, a place where you can talk about your weekend for a while. Then there is the co-work zone for larger teams and the focus zone. In the focus zone, you might expect small offices, but we took a different approach: we redesigned a Yello furniture piece with benches to create individual workspaces that promote concentration. Thus, the office becomes ‘a place better than home’. It is important to have a reason to come to the office.
Moniek: We want our colleagues to feel: ‘this is where I belong, this is my company.’ Our concept includes elements that contribute to an authentic ABN AMRO workplace. This involves features such as a piggy bank wall, historic property and the use of triangles from our logo in various privacy follies.
Moniek: We have high ambitions when it comes to Employee Experience. For instance, we think the connection between the digital and physical worlds is important. With the increasing number of meetings held via Teams, the digital connection needs to be stronger. As part of this effort, we are experimenting with innovative equipment and adjusted meeting configurations, including cameras capable of capturing multiple individuals simultaneously to ensure everyone is clearly visible.
'’A lot of furniture and materials are reused. Everything purchased new is either bio-based, second-hand or at least dismantlable to be put back into something at a later date’’
Ruud: In addition, ABN AMRO aims to become a leader in promoting sustainability. As a customer, you can significantly contribute in this area.
Moniek: Sustainability is a fundamental expectation of our company and is fully integrated into our core values. One cool aspect of our workplace concept is its circular nature. We reuse a lot of furniture and materials, and anything new that we purchase is either bio-based, second-hand or easily dismantlable for future use.
Jochem: I find this project particularly clever due to the combination of the circular aspect with the new way of working. It requires the development of a new workplace concept using both new and existing materials simultaneously.
Moniek: Yes, start by looking at what’s already there, rather than sketching out what it should look like. For example, the ceiling gratings we used for partition walls were reclaimed from the building on Foppingadreef. They were outdated and unattractive, but the architects at Fokkema & Partners saw potential in them right away.
Ruud: It's basically thinking the other way around. Exploring possibilities, and using the beauty of existing materials and products as a foundation for your design.
Moniek: We literally brought along a broken-off piece of ceiling tile. Once you figure out what to make of it, the next question is: how to bring it to life? Zwartwoud’s strength lies in determining how to prevent this fragile material from falling apart and ensuring its long-term usability. This is where Zwartwoud came up with the solution.
Jochem: The goal is to minimize the additions to a product and produce it in the most sustainable way possible. The grids will need to be painted, and a steel frame will be added around them. It’s important to consider the final CO2 balance when adding parts, choosing paint and applying frames.
Ruud: We not only created a pleasant workplace, but also implemented a data-driven design process. We translated ABN AMRO's circular goals into a circular steering model. Zwartwoud accurately recorded material properties and quantities using material passports. Our main goal was to reduce raw material use, and we successfully achieved this. Another important target was to reduce the environmental cost indicator (MKI), and we comfortably met this goal together.
Moniek: I am extremely proud of the fact that the workplace concept is perfect in every way. It is not only sustainable, but also facilitates digital connectivity, inspires our employees, meets the diverse needs of our colleagues and effectively utilizes the available space. I am very pleased with the collaboration we have experienced. I found it to be very enjoyable and generally fun too!
Ruud: It’s great that people enjoy their work environment. When you ask more questions, you realize that they get along well, resulting in a very high circularity score.
Moniek: It served as the foundation for our other offices. The circular change is currently in progress and will only continue to grow. Very inspiring.
Photography: Ronald Zijlstra
