A multi-directional black staircase bridges the major entrance area in this converted office building in Belgium (+ slideshow).
Getting outgrown its preceding offices, temping company Ago obtained a former telecoms building near central Kortrijk and invited neighborhood studio Steven Vandenborre Architects to oversee its refurbishment.
Vandenborre designed a monumental bespoke black staircase as the major attribute. Two flights of measures rise up to kind an angular arch in excess of the ground floor before splitting off once more in opposite directions, connecting to the upper level.
The architect – whose preceding projects consist of a concrete and glass poolside extension to a 1970s villa – integrated a variety of elements more normally identified in public spaces in his prepare for the creating. These consist of steps with created-in furnishings, and promenade and square-like spaces.
“Simply because of the scale of the constructing, the interior design and style of the new offices was primarily based on a little city exactly where you stroll, work, sit and dine like in a actual city,” explained the architect.
He stripped the interior back to its raw concrete construction and focused on generating a communal space that extends like a promenade through both ranges of the building.
“The principal aim of the style was to get rid of all disturbing objects and to make a attribute of the typical character of the constructing, like the concrete columns, concrete floors, big spaces and massive panoramic windows,” Vandenborre explained.
Associated story: Angled shipping container houses a staircase for Israeli port workplace by Potash Architects
A hole was punched via the 1st floor to create a double-height entrance region, with huge windows added on both side.
The resulting brightly lit room is interrupted only by the stairs and is meant as a public zone where staff can end for informal meetings or lunch breaks. Greater occasions this kind of as lectures and events can also be carried out in this area.
On the opposite side of the reception desk, a set of measures leading to offices in one of the building’s wings incorporates benches so it can be used as an added meeting or breakout room.
Glass walls fill the corridor with normal light and offer views to both side. Office spaces are also partitioned with glazing to aid keep light levels all through the developing. Mirrored surfaces, exposed pipes and bare light bulbs include to the industrial aesthetic.
Dark stained-wood furniture and felt wall coverings introduce texture. The felt also helps improve the acoustics of the rooms, whilst a subtle stripy pattern on the carpets references the present board-marked concrete surfaces.
“The general look is a stability between an exciting outdated framework, open spaces and a luxurious work location,” claimed Vandenborre.
Other industrial workplace conversions published on Dezeen contain a converted warehouse in London with furniture and artworks produced from reclaimed objects, and an office for a German conveyor-belt firm featuring aluminium mesh partitions.
Photography is by Tim Van de Velde.
Staircase model 
Staircase model 
Staircase model 
Axonometric diagram – click for larger picture 
