‘De Kattenbak Centrale’ is an office space of approximately 270 m² located on Pieter Baststraat in Amsterdam Zuid. Designed by architect Jan Loerakker, the office space is undergoing high-quality renovation and extremely sustainable refurbishment, ensuring that it meets all the modern standards an office user might desire.
A distinguishing feature is the open layout of the space on the ground floor in combination with the attractive ceiling height with glass saw-tooth roof, which allows for plenty of natural light. The space has a new cellar area and extension. This factors in natural light by means of a 'wolfskuil" (wolf pit, or an extension of the cellar area over the full width of the cellar found in Amsterdam) at the front and a light well at the rear of the space. The entire office will be equipped with state-of-the-art CO2 -controlled air treatment systems that significantly reduce the risk of viral infection. Combined with three heat pumps and underfloor heating, this will contribute to the expected A+ or A++ energy label.
At the rear is a beautiful newly landscaped city garden with spacious garden house, which also serves as an office. This is a unique opportunity for the office user who, on top of valuing comfort and being after a luxurious look, would like to settle in this prestigious residential and working area.
History
The building dates from 1905 and has undergone several renovations since then. The outbuilding dates back to 1926 and was converted into 'De Kattenbak Centrale' in 1937 following the design of structural engineer C. de Groot.
The so-called "litter box centre" was a service for people who kept cats in the `30s. On a daily basis, used litter boxes would be cleaned here and returned to the people who handed them in. Hence, the appearance on the blueprints of washing facilities.
Accordingly, a plaque depicting a cat, designed by natural stone worker Tobias Snoep, will be installed to pay tribute to this history.
Layout
The office space is accessed through a representative entrance decorated in marble and bluestone. The entrance is shared with the occupants of the apartments above. The office space on the ground floor is large enough for at least 12 workstations. At the entrance to the office space on the ground floor is the specially designed steel staircase, in RAL 6012 colour (Black green), to the basement. A spacious kitchen with lunch area will be installed with toilets and a shower room in the basement. It is also possible to create an enclosed meeting room here.
The garden can be accessed through French windows at the rear of the office space on the ground floor. The garden house, which also has a pantry and toilet, can be reached through the garden. This spacious area can be utilised in a variety of ways. Although there is the option of creating a meeting room, it is also conceivable to set up this space as an artistic presentation space.
Interior design
Great care and attention has been devoted to interior design so as to create an optimal working experience and feel in the office space. The design and implementation are by architect Jan Loerakker. This extremely talented architect lives in Copenhagen and comes from a true family of architects. For instance, his grandfather designed the former cantonal court building in the Zuidas. This is currently being converted into the new Zuidas Museum under the guidance of Rem Koolhaas and his team, of which Jan is a member.
The kitchen in the basement is from the high-end Danish brand Kvik and will be furnished with a kitchen island, Quooker and wine cabinet. The green VEDA model comes in handleless and touch system design and is fitted with an extra-wide beech laminate worktop. The built-in appliances (dishwasher, fridge/freezer and combi microwave) are Bosch brand.
The pantry in the garden house is also by Kvik and a green VEDA handleless model with a similar worktop. The pantry will be equipped with a Zanussi (built-in) fridge, Bosch dishwasher and Quooker.
The carefully chosen colours for the interior design imbue a sense of calm, warmth and unity. RAL 6012, an elegant black-green colour, will be applied to the frames of the glass door at the entrance, as well as to the light well window and skylights in the garden house. The frame of the garage's glass partition wall will also get this beautiful colour. The walls will all be plastered and painted in Keim off-white.
Elegant furniture by Villeroy & Boch has been chosen for the washrooms. The tiling by French brand Winckelmans is in dark green. The rooms will be fitted with lighting from the modern Maretti brand. Black track systems with spotlights have been chosen. In consultation with the tenant, the floors will be finished with a Forbo Eurocol BetonDesign floor or durable Forbo Eurocol LiquidDesign concrete-look self-levelling screed.
The interior design can be adapted to the tenant's wishes, and at the tenant's expense. The renders with furnishings are indicative only.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a top priority in this current renovation. The office space has been optimally insulated. The building will also be gas-free and equipped with three heat pumps. The installation of new window frames with HR++ glass ensures excellent insulation. Floor heating and an air heating system will also be installed. As a result of these modifications, a minimum of energy label class A+ is expected to be achieved upon completion of the renovation.
The most important feature of the renovation plan, drawn up during the COVID-19 outbreak, is ventilation and air conditioning. The heating/ventilation plan has been designed by Amstelius engineers.
The high-quality Mitsubishi/OC Verhulst CO2-controlled air treatment system ensures optimal air conditioning and a cosy ambience with very low CO2 levels. This contributes to comfort and work productivity. The visible CO2 meters display the levels. The systems will run harder when there are more people in the room, thus displacing and purifying more air. This ensures less virus transmission.
The air treatment system consists of a HR unit and a cooling/air conditioning system. This allows the temperature to be set separately for each room. Despite the heavy demands on these systems, the calculations for energy consumption are very favourable. Reports with consumption calculations are available on request.
Technology
The office space will be equipped with roughly 15 double data connections on the ground floor and about eight double connections in the basement. The garden house will also have approximately eight data connections and around two single connections. The built-in cabling in the garden house is suitable up to 10 GB. All rooms will be equipped with access points and a patch cabinet will be built into the equipment room in the basement.
The outdoor space
The garden design has been created by Buro Mien Ruys tuin- en landschapsarchitecten. This factors in the shade of the listed chestnut tree in the rear garden of Hobbemakade 79. The garden faces east, allowing one to take in the morning sun. The sun slowly moves away from the garden as the day goes on.
A gravel strip leading towards the office space and garden house will also be installed. The garden will be paved with 60x60cm tiles. A new fence will be erected at the sides, with small trees and ground cover plants in front so that the garden will be nice and green. A platform with bird bath will also be installed.
The garden is approximately 90 m2 in size and will have automatic watering and four outdoor lights.
The surroundings
The office space is located in Amsterdam's smallest neighbourhood. Duivelseiland is part of the Museum Quarter in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, near Roelof Hartstraat and Roelof Hartplein. There are plenty of amenities here, including shops, cafés and restaurants, such as Café Wildschut and the establishment where Café Restaurant Loetje once originated.
Also within walking distance are the Museumplein with the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Rijksmuseum. The Van Baerlestraat and Beethovenstraat high streets in Zuid are nearby, as is Ceintuurbaan in De Pijp. The Cornelis Schuytstraat high street, with its various catering establishments, is a must if you're after conviviality. Hotspots here are Restaurant Oud-Zuid, Sardegna Amsterdam and
Brasserie Van Dam.
In addition to being a prestigious residential area, this location is known for being a business district with a variety of representative companies and organisations.
Accessibility
'De Kattenbak Centrale' is easily accessible both by car from the A10 Ring Road (exit S109) and by public transport. Tram lines 3, 5, 12 and 24 stop at the Roelof Hartplein tram stop. These tram lines run through Roelof Hartstraat and provide a direct connection to Amsterdam Centraal, Westergasfabriek and VUmc. Metro stop 'De Pijp' of the Noord/Zuidlijn (metro line 52) is six minutes' walk away.
Parking facilities
Parking is available on public roads by means of either a payment or permit system. Information about terms and conditions and possibilities of obtaining a permit, for business purposes or otherwise, and potential waiting periods should be requested through the City of Amsterdam.