The new production facility for the Royal Dutch Mint in Houten (NL) is a secured, concrete bunker of a building. Coins from various countries are minted in a streamlined production process, integrating the logistics of raw materials to the storage of finished product. All under one roof. The offices are concealed within the bunker on the first floor, and situated around an elevated interior courtyard which provides the work floor with an abundance of natural daylighting. A glazed interior façade between warehouse and office enhances the visual connection between administration and production.
Because the Dutch Vault is located in the urban core of Houten, the challenge was to design a façade that reacted accordingly. Although the concrete walls ensured security to the interior program, it provided little value to the surrounding urban landscape. Our design team decided to use the multifaceted production process of coins as inspiration for the façade design. Industrial steel cladding with a bespoke gold coating was our material of choice. The cladding panels were fastened to the façade in a three dimensional pattern, giving the effect of intricate facets of color and light, similar to the details of a coin.
Office – 3.000m²
Warehouse – 10.000m²
Site – 20.000m²
