A monumental space, now a state-of-the-art headquarters
The challenge
Logistics leader PostNL faced the challenge of translating its identity and work vision into a contemporary office environment within the iconic monumental Stationspostgebouw in The Hague. This massive building, with its historical role as a former mail sorting center, was set for extensive renovation. The objective was to create a workplace that fosters innovation and collaboration, accommodating 1,500 to 1,800 flexible workstations.
The impact
The interior and workspace design transformed the concrete colossus into a comfortable, human-centered workspace, celebrating its imposing scale and raw materiality while addressing the challenges of adapting it to PostNL’s forward-looking ambitions. Beautiful, high-quality natural materials were strategically applied in high-traffic areas to enhance durability, warmth and comfort. Respecting the building’s industrial character, the raw concrete surfaces, ceilings, and beams were left largely untouched, avoiding overuse of acoustic treatments.
The workplace design used the building’s inherent spatial diversity. The organisation of diverse work areas followed the typology of the structure: dynamic informal meeting areas near central escalators, quiet concentration zones tucked into more secluded spaces, and double-height indoor gardens at the facade, vertically bridging office floors.
Designed in close collaboration with PostNL and developing partners LIFE and Sens, the workspace concept provided valuable insights in the number and variety of workstations that could be realised in the repurposed monument.
Co-designed with KCAP, the final design was executed by Kraaijvanger.