Portaal is a housing corporation that provides accomodation in various locations throughout the Netherlands. Concern is responsible for the interior design of their new head office in Utrecht. The Human Resources department, Service Centre and Property Development combine to make the ‘House of Portaal’: the place where staff from various departments can meet and receive guests.

The task for Concern: furnish four floors of office space, with workspace for 272 staff members, including a library, document centre, workshops, restaurant and cafe. The House of Portaal is designed not only to perform as a physical space, but also to develop the relationship between management and staff, while promoting a high level of personal responsiblity.

Some of the biggest changes have been made in the heart of the building, where a newly created open space connects all four floors. This space promotes an open working atmosphere and better communication. The visual connection between the floors is emphasized by consistent use of materials and the repetition of interior elements.

Concern is responisble for the concept and design phases of the interior for each of the work floors and special elements, including made to measure furnishings. Furthermore, Concern worked closely with the architects concerning various structural elements such as the vide, the core and the restaurant kitchen.

http://concern.nu