Arcadis

AIS partnered with Arcadis to transform their office in Arnhem, the city where the company was founded, into a modern and adaptable workspace while honouring its historical roots. The design emphasised sustainability, utilising upcycled materials and thoughtful functionality that seamlessly integrated with Arcadis’ heritage.

Client challenges

Reducing the office size from 50,000 sq. ft to 13,000 sq. ft while ensuring functionality was preserved.

Delivering a high-quality design on a tight budget, aligned with the standards of other global offices.

Adapting the building’s air conditioning systems within existing limitations to meet specific comfort needs.

Transformational impact

Developed a flexible, future-proof workspace that fosters collaboration and adapts to evolving work styles.

Paid tribute to Arcadis’ heritage through design, merging historical elements with modern functionality.

Delivered a sustainable office by using upcycled materials and thoughtful design, establishing a foundation for future projects.

A heritage-inspired transformation

Given Arnhem’s significance as the birthplace of Arcadis, the design thoughtfully incorporated elements that celebrated the company’s history, with art, furniture, and graphics reflecting its heritage. To maximise the use of space, new breakout areas, collaboration zones, and a concierge desk were introduced.

Drawing influence from Arcadis’ offices in London and Melbourne, the design featured dark timber finishes, bold black walls and ceilings, and subtle touches of orange. Carefully zoned areas supported focused work, active collaboration, and social interaction, creating a workspace that’s both efficient and inspiring.

Balancing comfort with cost efficiency 

The building’s unique chevron layout presented challenges, as it risked isolating employees from key activity areas. To address this, we carefully planned the space to ensure meeting rooms and facilities were evenly distributed, promoting better connectivity. Despite budget constraints, we delivered a design that matched the quality of Arcadis’ London office while working with only two-thirds of the budget.

The air conditioning system was upgraded without a full refit to meet specific comfort requirements. Sustainability was a core focus, with lockers upcycled and materials reused to minimise waste. Timber slats created gallery-like corridors to display Arcadis’ art collection, adding warmth and acoustical privacy to the open-plan design.

Find out more about our Amsterdam studio.