Triodos Bank

TRIODOS BANK IN DRIEBERGEN-RIJSENBURG, NETHERLANDS

The new office building of Triodos Bank on the sprawling Reehorst country estate in Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Netherlands, embodies the unification of nature, culture and business. Here, at the founding site of the sustainably acting bank, a pathbreaking project was to be created, considering all principles of circular architecture. The bank itself, the RAU Architecten team, and the interior designers of Ex Interiors worked on creating the ideal office Building for seven years – with great success. The fully sustainable building, which is also described as a wooden cathedral, elegantly fits in with the surrounding nature. Only natural, authentic materials were used for the exceptionally energy-efficient building. The main construction is built entirely of wood. The efforts were rewarded at the 2019 Architectenweb Awards, where it was honoured as Office Building of the Year.

Inside, the building impresses with its bright, open spaces, which consistently integrate nature due to the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Matching the natural materials of Triodos Bank, the offices and recreation rooms are furnished with more than 130 Thonet classics. Natural materials such as cane work and naturally stained wood were used for the chair versions: The S 64 Atelier swivel chair and S 64 V by Marcel Breuer can be found 54 times; and there are 76 of the famous bistro chair 218 of Gebrüder Thonet. With their clear, reduced aesthetics, the Thonet chairs can be used in versatile ways – as is indispensable in modern office structures. Several bar stools 404 H in black round off the interior design. The contract dealer Gispen from Culemborg was participated in this Project.