Team De Nieuwe Post, led by Heijmans, has won the tender to renovate and expand the Stationsplein West government offices (Rijkskantoor) in Arnhem. The former post office next to Arnhem station is being converted to house the Tax and Customs Administration, the Central Government Real Estate Agency and the Education Executive Agency (DUO). Karres en Brands and Kraaijvanger Architects will plan and design the renovation and expansion of the building.

The Rijkskantoor is a municipal monument in the station area of Arnhem that does not meet current requirements, particularly sustainability targets. The original monumental value and fabric of the building will be restored such that experiential and user value are key to the development and functioning of the new office location. Critically this includes extra attention on sustainable and healthy business operations, focusing on energy neutrality, circularity and health.

The Central Government Real Estate Agency, Heijmans, design parties and others involved are working together according to the innovative DOEN methodology. The team won the assignment based on a vision, which, among other things, explained how the building can be connected to the public space, so that an attractive and healthy living environment is created.

Partnership
Kraaijvanger has been appointed as the architect, while Karres en Brands will be responsible for the urban planning and landscape. The partnership also consists of DWA (installation advice), IMd Consultative Engineers (structural advice) and DGMR (building physics and fire safety). The parties are now working on a design.

Images: Artistic Impressions of vision (by Plotvis)