Fine-tuning products and materials together
Sabine Gorter, account manager at Gispen: 'It was nice that we were involved from the start. The Gispen project manager and I had regular consultations with Land van Cuijk and the interior architect of Thomas Architects. Together we fine-tuned everything, from workplaces and meeting rooms to Council Chamber, Mayor's room, reception and restaurant. We discussed the furniture for each room: does it fit in terms of function, material and colour? Where necessary, we proposed alternatives. Sometimes different products, sometimes different materials.' For example, for the seat at the counter: 'There are many different people there in a day. That's why you want to be able to clean this seat quickly. Instead of fabric, we suggested artificial leather – practical, hygienic and beautiful.'
Reuse and trial placements
We provided various sustainable solutions: chairs from three old town halls were immediately reused. Two hundred conference chairs have been reupholstered and can be used as new again. Gispen revitalised used tables. Lampshades are made of recycled felt. And some of the furniture is made from recycled material – from felt to recycled polyester. In addition, we supplied more than 440 new Gispen TMNL desks and Ahrend 2020 office chairs. All workstations are sit-stand and electrically adjustable. We also supplied chairs from Artifort, De Vorm and HAY and tables from Satelliet. Sabine: 'Nice to mention separately are the Wilkhahn chairs in the Council Chamber. These were chosen after a trial placement. Several people use this room, so we tested the chairs during real council meetings.' Gispen also provided trial placements for the office chairs.
Smart solution for the municipality's wish
A special part of this project were the more than 400 GoBright units that we supplied at the request of Land van Cuijk. Desks can be automatically adjusted to the correct standing or sitting height via these units. You can also see when a desk is occupied. Sabine: "We knew early on that we had to mount these units on the desks and developed a smart solution in our factory. Thanks to a special mold, each unit is now in exactly the same place. That worked quickly and neatly.' Another extra service that Gispen provided: the complete cable management.
How do you like it?
Marloes: 'We now have more space than before to work together: more than 400 workplaces, all of which of course meet the health and safety standards. Plus more than 250 meeting places and many landing and call places. We work flexibly and activity-oriented. To my surprise, everyone is immediately positive about this. Beforehand I was curious about the weekly spread, the Tuesday/Thursday effect, but the building can handle the capacity well. The users find it a pleasant, quiet working environment with the light color schemes and many plants. When I look around myself, I really see the fruits of all the intensive preliminary discussions with Gispen and the interior designer.'
Photography: Studio De Zwarte Kater
Video: Sherman Emers Video Producties
