Discover Benelux | Top Architects in the Netherlands | Creating Quality of Life
Beautiful buildings made to last TEXT: SOFIE COUWENBERGH | PHOTOS: IBELINGS VAN TILBURG ARCHITECTEN
If you have ever been to the centre of Rotterdam, you might have noticed De Karel Doorman, a 70-metre-high apartment block built right on top of the old Ter Meulen shopping mall. It is just one of the many eye-catching creations of Ibelings van Tilburg architecten. From its office in the Dutch town of Capelle aan den IJssel, the team works on prestigious projects. “Whether it’s an office building, an airport, an apartment complex or a flagship store, we always focus on maintaining a balance between aesthetics, usability and sustainability,” says architect and director Marc Ibelings. Sustainability is a trendy word nowadays, but for Ibelings van Tilburg it involves much more than technical solutions in new buildings. With cities becoming increasingly cramped while many older buildings are left vacant, build18 | Issue 42 | June 2017
ing something new is not always the solution. The bureau believes that sustainability is also a matter of transforming and repurposing old buildings in a responsible way. In Amsterdam, for example, it turned the Kohnstammhuis, a former tax office, into a school for higher education with a public square that locals can also enjoy. Such a square has a social function and emphasises another angle of Ibelings van Tilburg’s sustainable vision. “Health and usability are important parts of sustainability,” Ibelings continues. “Aside from being built to last, our creations always take into account the environment and the end user.” This translates into good air quality, lots of daylight and pleasant views. In many designs, an atrium or public hall performs the function of a central square where people can meet, talk and take a break.
But what about the visual appeal of a building? According to Ibelings, wellexecuted functionality and sustainability do not inhibit, but instead enhance the aesthetics. Combining the needs of employees, visitors or residents with how clients want to present themselves, while at the same time maintaining a long-term perspective allows this architectural office to create the perfect design for every project. These designs are often characterised by large and multi-functional spaces, practical multi-purpose rooms and the balanced use of details. For passers-by, they interact naturally with their environment.
Teamwork “A result like that is only possible when all concerned parties start working together at an early stage,” says Ibelings. The bureau believes in an integral approach to the design process. Including all parties