ALCHEMIST OFFICE

The project

Located at Lijnbaansgracht 92 in Amsterdam, ‘The Alchemist Office’ encompasses a building spanning approximately 600m2 on the edge of the Jordaan. It was specifically designed for ‘The New Alchemist,’ a company specializing in the extraction, processing, and trading of raw materials for energy transition, such as uranium and cobalt.

The original horse stable at the border of the Jordaan has a storied history of transformations. Following about two decades of vacancy, the building was acquired by an investor with a vision to convert it into a city villa, a realization crafted by Architect Marc Labadie. The office features a concrete core linking all spaces and a roof structure and housing amenities like a cellar, gym, sauna, and steam shower.

The original brief involved transforming a residential space into an office area while reflecting the company’s open and welcoming ethos. Transforming a monument building into a functional office presented unique challenges. Onsite modifications were crucial to elevate the space to meet modern office standards.

The design

Reflecting the client’s identity as a modern trader in raw energy transition materials, ‘The Alchemist Office’ embodies a modern interpretation of an alchemist. In the past, alchemy was a branch of natural philosophy in which scholars speculatively investigated matter. Rooted in the speculative investigations of matter, alchemy in the past aimed at the goal of alchemy was to create the Philosopher’s Stone, attempting to transmute ordinary metals into gold, cure diseases, and prolong life.

Design elements from ancient alchemy permeate the workspace, with blocks like cabinets, kitchen features, and the entrance meticulously clad in various metals symbolizing different experimental phases.

Copper and brass signify transformation processes, their dark interiors symbolizing the experimental essence characterized by limited knowledge. The color schemes echo the trade’s essential elements, incorporating blue and green hues reminiscent of Cobalt and Uranium.

Apart from metal representation, sustainable materials were integrated into the interior design. Floor-to-ceiling facades were introduced as walls, emphasizing reusability through untreated aluminum construction, promoting easy recyclability and sustainability.

Various materials were repurposed in the project, including the reuse of the kitchen cabinet and kitchen elements. Existing building materials were also repurposed within the office space to maintain sustainability while honoring the building’s historical value.