Shell New Technology Centre

The existing location of the Shell laboratory in Amsterdam Noord, on the river IJ, is to be partly sold off for a quality residential development by ING real estate and partly used by Shell itself for construction of a new building with offices and laboratories.
This complex, at a very prominent location, visible from the city centre riverbank, has a comb structure, whose teeth are perpendicular to the river and whose backbone is parallel to the river. The teeth have been given a robust architecture, and contain the offices and laboratories. The backbone on the other hand, is light and transparent, and contains the entrance and the main traffic routes. Under the complex, there is a built-in logistics centre and a semi-sunken parking garage.
The most southerly volume is curved; here we find the company restaurant, conference centre and auditorium. This specific shape establishes a relationship with the neighbouring residential development plan and forms the entrance area.
location
Grasweg Amsterdam

client
Shell International Chemicals BV

duration
structure plan December 2003 till March 2004, preliminary design March 2004 till July 2004, final design July 2004 till September 2004, specifications phase September 2004 till March 2005, completed August 2009

scope of assignment
support and supervision of the design team (Arcadis) from preliminary design through to completion

scope in mē gross floor area
70,000 m², excluding parking garage of 441 places

team
Peter Vermeulen, Jaap van der Steeg (Arcadis), P. van Suijdam (Arcadis)

advisers
Arcadis Amersfoort (construction, electrotechnical and mechanical installations)

construction budget / construction costs
€ 90,000,000