ZonMw

Hollandse Nieuwe has transformed the existing office of ZonMw from a traditional cellular office lay-out to a hybrid work environment: open, future-proof and serving as a social environment. Dedicated to increasing public health for decades, it was essential to create a healthy workspace for ZonMw as well.

client	ZonMw
program	Office
completion	2023
area	4600 m²
location	The Hague

colorful, bright, well-being
The design promotes both collaborative and focused work, surpassing the quality of homeworking with its smart layout and welcoming atmosphere. This contributes to the well-being and sense of pride among ZonMw staff and visiting guests. Our design focuses on user-wellbeing and the use of non-toxic materials in the interior, while creating the right context for the large art collection to stimulate and inspire.

For ZonMw, the way of working changed over time and the number of employees grew, which also changed the use of the office. The working environment no longer functioned optimally and satisfactorily, both in look and feel and in facilities. People come to the office because they want to meet each other, work together and preferably in an environment that feels as comfortable as at home.

“We facilitate social contact between users on different floors. Where gatherings previously were concentrated in just one place, in the new design this can take place on every floor.”

New way of dividing space
Most of the secluded offices on the facade have been removed to achieve a good balance between closed and open spaces. By freeing up parts of the facade, daylight can flow deeper into the interior and there is more contact with the outside. Double win. We have also encouraged social contact between users on different floors. Where previously gatherings were concentrated in just one place, our design now allows this to take place on every floor. The meeting points are always located near a staircase or elevator, spontaneous and unaffected.

Large colored volumes divide the open work environment into smaller areas, so that employees have sufficient visual and acoustic protection. These volumes are also used to show the many works of art that ZonMw has to offer. The finish of the volumes differs per floor and per area. While soft and light colors determine the working environment, wood is used in the quiet areas. We used more intense and on each level different colors for meetings and collaboration, making navigation easier.

“Large colored volumes have been installed that divide the open work environment into smaller areas, so that employees have visual and acoustic protection.”

“Soft colors determine the atmosphere in the working environment – we used different and more intense colors for meetings and collaboration. This makes navigation easier.”

Selected materials favor well-being
Daylight, socializing possibilities and a warm atmosphere are only some of the ways in which we have designed an interior that stimulates well-being. The precise material selection also contributes to this: non-toxic and re-used materials form the basis of our palette.

An existing bamboo floor has been sanded and varnished, and wall panels have been re-coated. Well-functioning installations have not been replaced, but have been upgraded. Detonating, yellowed air vents have also been powder coated again. New LED lighting has been used throughout the project and furniture has been reused as much as possible; existing lockers received new doors, workplaces were serviced and upholstered chairs were cleaned.

New carpet tiles in the work area are made of recycled yarn, have a bio backing and are therefore net CO2 negative. The floors of the meeting areas are fitted with rubber, the ground floor has a new bamboo floor – matching the existing bamboo floor on the first floor. Acoustic wall coverings are made from recycled and natural leather, wool and felt.

Partners
This project was partly realized by many participating design partners and parties, with whom which we have greatly enjoyed working together with. Our thanks goes out to:

Project Management: Solved
Contractor: Aertsgeerts
Interior builder: Finitouch
MEP advisor: Groen en Aldenkamp Installatietechniek BV
Project furniture: De Projectinrichter
Signage: MCart
Photography: Ewout Huibers