In association with the Herman Hertzberger Architect Studio we developed an integrated design in which the structural design of the main supporting structure reinforces the architectural style by using a diamond-shaped supporting structure visible through the outside walls. 
 
The Amstel Gooi en Vecht Dike Board and the Dienst Waterbeheer en Riolering wanted a shared building on the present DWR site in Amsterdam. The Herman Hertzberger Architect Studio created an ambitious design consisting of twin towers built on a flat plinth-like building. In close collaboration with the architect, Royal Haskoning made a structural design. At the connections to the outside walls the storeys are supported by an internal diamond-shaped steel framework. This structure in combination with prestressed channel plates creates large areas without columns that can be divided and arranged at will, achieving maximum flexibility for present and future occupants. The curved shapes of the two towers, in combination with overhead bridges, necessitated wind tunnel research. The results of this study were used as the basis for the dimensions of the main supporting structure and the outside walls. The main supporting structure was analysed using the three-dimensional finite element program Diana.

Jan Janssen
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