Image by © A2 Studio, all right reserved

© KCAP architects&planners . Published on May 25, 2010.

Rotterdam 25 May 2010 – KCAP Architects&Planners in cooperation with local architect Arlette Schneiders win the competition for an office development in the city of Luxemburg. The competition entry was already awarded first prize in 2009. Recently, the client Fonds de Compensation has officially assigned the building commission to the team KCAP and ARLETTE SCHNEIDERS ARCHITECTS with advisors Ecofys, SIT-LUX and Lux C.E.C..

Image by © A2 Studio, all right reserved

© KCAP architects&planners . Published on May 25, 2010.

The site occupies a prominent location in Luxemburg’s Kirchberg district, facing the main square of Luxemburg’s future European district. The programme of 22.300 m2 gross floor area will be distributed over four buildings. They present a clear architectural language towards the main square and provide a strong volume on the street to reinforce the development’s urban appearance, as requested by the masterplan by French architect Dominique Perrault.

Image by © A2 Studio, all right reserved

© KCAP architects&planners . Published on May 25, 2010.

“The urban integration of the ensemble and the composition of individual buildings are key elements of our design. They allow us to create a block which is dense but permeable at the same time and to provide high quality and introverted outdoor spaces which complement the structure of the surrounding public spaces,” says Kees Christiaanse, founder and partner of KCAP.

© KCAP architects&planners . Published on May 25, 2010.

Arlette Schneiders continues: “With this concept we are able to maintain a human scale within the European district and make the block a connecting element, able to link to the major pedestrian transfer routes. Pedestrians, cyclists, residents and working people will be stimulated to experience and actively use the new city quarter.”

Each of the four buildings is individually designed, but reveals the same material expression in a variety of façade modules and different degrees of openings. Cantilevers indicate the entrances to the buildings. The ground floor, above the underground parking, hosts conference rooms, a learning centre and a restaurant; functions designed to activate the public space. The upper four to five levels are composed of offices with an average of 1.000 m2 office space per floor. A children’s daycare centre is located in a more intimate location enjoying a large private outdoor space.