July 3, 2007

Akzo Nobel selects architects for new headquarters
 

Press release
 

Akzo Nobel has selected the architects who would design the company's new corporate headquarters, to be constructed in Amsterdam's Zuidas region, Netherlands.

Working in cooperation with ING Real Estate, the company sought advice from several experts and following a thorough selection process, the unanimous choice was Rotterdam-based Group A.

Akzo Nobel said it was pleased with Group A's preliminary designs for the new permanent HQ - scheduled to be ready in 2011.

Work will now begin on further development of the preliminary designs, with Akzo Nobel keen to ensure that full attention is given to areas such as sustainability and environmental issues. The final design for the 14,000-square metre building - to be located in the Beethoven area of Zuidas - is expected to be approved by early 2008.

Akzo Nobel will be officially relocating its corporate headquarters from Arnhem to Amsterdam in early August. Some 100 employees will move to a temporary base in the Zuidas district - close to the site of the new HQ - which will position the company closer to the international community in which it operates. Once the new building is ready, it will become Akzo Nobel's permanent global headquarters.

Responsible for designing the stunning European head office for Saudi Arabian company Sabic, as well as award-winning projects such as the renovation of the Caballero factory in The Hague, Group A was recently nominated for the newly-introduced Dutch Architect of the Year award.