Customer

Aartsen fruit & vegetables. A growing Dutch company trading in fruit and vegetables.

Brief

Aartsen fruit & vegetables used to contend with a lack of space at their head office in Breda and were looking for a design office to (re)furbish the existing office, the extension and the farmhouse. Besides increasing capacity, it was also important to incorporate Aartsen’s identity in the interior. After all, Aartsen may be a traditional family business, their innovative thinking is just as important. Moreover, quality – rather than quantity – is increasingly gaining ground. All this meant that PUUR had to create a place that reflects the tradition and soul of the company, but which also offers room for renewal and innovation.

Strategy

The new office pavilion has been given an international character that is warm, yet businesslike and sleek, and has been made with natural materials such as wood and bluestone. Here, a patio serves as a visual link between the various departments and roles. At the reception desk, interactive screens give visitors (fruit and vegetable suppliers from all over the world) a special experience and present the company in an innovative way.

End result

The end result is a building that feels as one seamless whole, both inside and out. It’s not noticeable where the work of the architect stops and where that of the interior architect starts.

More info :

Video: “Communication wall”

Read more :

Article in De Architect

Article : “A new HQ for Aartsen”