Land Over Water
The project
Located in Hoofddorp, Land Over Water is a sustainable office design in the Netherlands that transforms a 675 m² office building from the 1990s into a contemporary workplace for APPM.
The outdated interior was completely stripped back and renewed, with a strong focus on sustainability and the reuse of existing materials wherever possible. Developed in close collaboration with APPM, the design responds to a wide range of working styles, from open workspaces and focus areas to large meeting rooms and informal gathering spaces. A natural circulation route runs along the façade, while a series of central volumes create more intimate and enclosed environments. Inspired by APPM’s mission of ‘making the Netherlands more beautiful’, the project draws from the Dutch landscape: water, clay and vegetation. These elements not only shape the architecture and material palette, but also reflect the infrastructure and ecological challenges that APPM helps address throughout the Netherlands.
DESIGN
The design translates the Dutch landscape into a spatial experience. Inspired by water, clay and vegetation, these elements are embedded throughout the layout, material palette and atmosphere of the office.
At the heart of the project is a flexible central space framed by brick walls. This area acts as a meeting point within the office, connecting different work environments while providing a sense of stability and orientation. The brick volumes create a sequence of more intimate spaces for focused work, meetings and informal interaction.
Clay plays a central role in the design. Expressed through brick surfaces and warm terracotta tones, it references both traditional Dutch architecture and the country’s long history of land-making and engineering. Reflective materials and silver finishes evoke water, bringing daylight deeper into the interior and creating changing reflections throughout the day. Vegetation is integrated through planting, natural textures and organic materials, reinforcing the connection between the workplace and the Dutch landscape.
Together, these elements create a sustainable office environment that reflects APPM’s mission while supporting collaboration, concentration and wellbeing.
MATERIALS and DURABILITY
Sustainability guided every design decision, from material selection to the building’s technical systems. Wherever possible, existing materials were reused, while new interventions prioritised circularity, low emissions and long-term durability.
Custom furniture and joinery were produced using Ecoplex panels and formaldehyde-free adhesives. Cork was selected for benches and wall finishes due to its renewable nature, acoustic properties and warm tactile quality.
The material palette continues the project’s narrative of water, clay and vegetation. Reflective surfaces and silver finishes evoke the Dutch waterscape while enhancing daylight throughout the office. The flooring transitions from FORBO Marmoleum to EGE carpet tiles made from recycled fishing nets, creating a subtle gradient inspired by the layers and movement of water.
Clay is represented through terracotta-toned brick walls manufactured by StoneCycle using recycled materials. These brick volumes provide thermal mass and naturally regulate humidity, contributing to a healthier indoor climate. Vegetation is introduced through integrated planters with reed elements, while natural fibres such as sisal reinforce the connection to the Dutch landscape.
The office is further supported by solar panels, heat pumps, external sun shading and improved ventilation systems. Together, these measures reduce energy consumption, improve occupant comfort and support APPM’s sustainability ambitions.
The result is a workplace where architecture, materials and building performance work together to minimise environmental impact while creating a healthy and inspiring working environment. This approach can also be seen in other workplace projects by Firm Architects, such as A Common Thread, On the Shoulders of Giants and the Backbase Flagship Office, where sustainability, wellbeing and spatial identity play a central role in the design process.
Source: www.firmarchitects.com
