The VPRO headquarter, the so-called Villa VPRO, can be described using terms such as compactness (the absence of long corridors) and spatial differentiation (a large number of different rooms) and in terms of its relationship to the landscape around it.

Compactness, given the present town-planning restrictions on the site – zoning plan boundaries and maximum building heights – led to ‘the deepest office building in the Netherlands’. ‘Precision bombing’ produced serpentine-like patios in the building which allow the access of natural light to be combined with views of the surroundings. The result is an open-plan office where the difference between inside and outside is vague.

The greenery that stood where the building now stands is replaced by a raised grass covered roof under which lies a ‘geological formation’ made up of the different floors. These floors are connected to one another by a variety of spatial devices such as ramps, stepped floors, monumental steps and small rises, thus providing a route to the roof.

The differences in height in the resulting continuous interior, combined with the wings created by the gaps, make possible a wide range of work contexts in different office typologies to meet the ever changing demands imposed by VPRO’s business. Lounge, attic, hall, patio and terrace types all serve to echo the old premises.

Data

Designer:
MVRDV
The Netherlands
www.mvrdv.nl
Client:
VPRO Broadcasting Company
Location:
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Description:
Office & Studios
Status:
completed
Area:
10.500 sq m
Project team:
MVRDV: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries with Stefan Witteman, Alex Brouwer, Joost Glissenaar, Arjan Mulder,
Eline Strijkers, Willem Timmer, Jaap van Dijk, Fokke Moerel, Joost Kok
Structure:
Pieters Bouwtechniek, Haarlem and Ove Arup & Partners, London
Building Physics:
DGMR, Arnhem
Facilitary Office:
Bureau Bouwkunde, Rotterdam
Awards:
Dudok Prize 1997, Concrete Prize 1997
Date:
1997

Photo by Rory Hyde

Credits & Copyrights

Design:
MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

Drawings / images / text:
MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

Photoes:
James Leng
&
Rory Hyde
www.roryhyde.com

Source:
MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

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