Close to the action
Partners from AFAS's national network come together as colleagues in the new dotNL, located in the former Achmea office. The building underwent extensive renovation and now holds the highest ratings on the BREAAM sustainability scale. It’s a hub centred around collaboration, short lines of communication, and inspiration. ‘Our partners want to be close to the action,’ says Pieter. ‘We offer them that opportunity here on our campus. Everything you need to inspire customers and collaborate is facilitated. From boardrooms to breakout areas, meditation rooms, and of course, offices. And lunch? It’s lovingly prepared by our own chefs in the restaurant. At dotNL, you come together in a relaxed setting so that you can really delve deep.’
Warmth and a homely atmosphere
The interior, designed in collaboration with DSN Workspace Solutions and Satelliet, plays a crucial role in the concept. ‘Furniture evokes emotion,’ asserts Pieter. The furnishings at dotNL are not merely functional; they are designed to exude warmth and ambiance, creating a homely feeling for everyone who works or stays there. ‘We put a lot of time and energy into choosing the right materials, colours, and furniture,’ Pieter explains. ‘We wanted to create something that wasn’t just beautiful but also sustainable and comfortable.’ To achieve this, a mock-up space was set up during the raw construction phase. ‘This allowed us to experience, see, and feel how the furniture, fabrics, and materials worked, and we could adjust where necessary. The mock-up also allowed us to bring our people along in the development.’ Pieter, laughing: ‘We challenged the board with some bold choices.’
Sustainability
Sustainability was the guiding principle in every decision. ‘The wooden stairs, walls, and several round tables are made from existing wood from the building combined with other second-life wood. Reuse, repurpose, or recycle: that’s the standard we applied when making decisions about materials and furniture. ‘Kicking the ball as far as possible’ is one of Pieter’s favourite expressions. ‘The result? An interior that perfectly aligns with our vision.’ And what’s Pieter’s favourite feature of dotNL? ‘The tiered staircase. The atrium is not just a visual highlight but also a sustainable symbol of connection.’
Hands-on
‘Surprise your customer before they surprise you,’ Pieter says with a wink. ‘Whether it’s a good cup of coffee or a thoughtful gesture: it’s the little things that make a big difference. We are among the people - our customers, our own employees, and our partners, as well as the residents of Leusden. We listen to them, and to them our door is always open. AFAS is a flat organisation. If necessary, I’ll walk around with a vacuum cleaner. We treat everyone the way we’d like to be treated ourselves. That also means we challenge each other to take things a step further.’
‘During construction, a need arose for a presentation room for 300 people. The adjustments to the original building plan had a considerable impact. Flexibility and quick action - that’s what we do at AFAS. Whether it's tackling challenges like replacing a damaging pillar in the parking garage or installing a massive LED screen for presentations: we are hands-on. That’s in our DNA, and we share it with our partners.’
Synergy
AFAS has big plans. ‘We want to keep growing, surprising people, and creating a beautiful campus. Soon, we’ll have a bridge connecting the main office with other buildings on the campus, allowing for even more interaction and exchange. I envision thousands of people here, working, experiencing, and enjoying it. With music and events like our ‘Succestival,’ which we’re organising for the second time. There’s nothing better than welcoming your customers into your own home and indulging them.” ‘We want people to feel good,’ Pieter concludes. ‘The best compliment we can receive is when people speak positively about us.’ With dotNL, the organisation has created a space that embodies AFAS’s mission: inspiring better business.
‘The atrium is not only a visual highlight but also a sustainable symbol of connection.’
Future proof design
Twente-based LKSVDD Architects, known for their sustainable and innovative designs, were responsible for the redesign of dotNL. With a keen eye for detail and a deep-rooted social awareness, they seamlessly translated AFAS’s vision into an inspiring workspace. LKSVDD placed sustainability, connection, and meeting at the heart of every aspect of the design. The unique tiered staircase, a true eye-catcher at dotNL, symbolises connection and interaction - core values of both AFAS and LKSVDD Architects. Their involvement and ability to design flexibly and future-proof have turned dotNL into a dynamic workplace where comfort and style go hand in hand. Sander ter Harmsel, partner at LKSVDD Architects, shares: ‘Working with AFAS is both challenging and inspiring. The existing, vacant office building had a structural problem. The atrium was not part of the natural flow through the building. All internal routes, stairs, and lifts were invisibly integrated into the office wings. Our design proposal made the new atrium a structural part of the routing. We literally opened the office wings towards the atrium, with the new tiered staircase as the connecting factor. Additionally, the quality of the space was significantly improved by using plenty of wood and natural greenery. By extending the outdoor space into the atrium, the inviting and inspiring atmosphere was enhanced, making it a natural extension of this dynamic heart of dotNL.’
