Developing a digital interface to highlight the value of a historic building. As a team of 5 we've created an interactive, multi-sensory experience that connects people emotionally to the space.
Creating a fun and learning experience for everyday users of the building to learn its history, considering both the architectural and the social aspect. The experience has to give an insight in the past of the building itself, so the way it was transformed over the years, the heritage of its art, ornaments and materials. Next to that, the intention of the design is to tell a story. Why is it the way it is? Why in this location? Why is the entrance here? Lastly we would like to collect and tell or show stories of the use and users of the building over the years.
All this information should be available or pushed in a pleasant non disturbing way. So it should be integrated ‘naturally’ in the use of the building or when visiting.
"We are an architecture firm that designs timeless buildings with a positive ecological and social footprint. We are based in Rotterdam since 1927 and by now we’re old enough to have started renovating our old buildings. We’re even located in one of our own old designs at the Blaak in Rotterdam." - Kraaijvanger Architects
Blaak 40 is an office building of approximately 7,784 sqm spread over 6 floors. The building of the former Amsterdamsche Bank was designed by the reconstruction architect Kraaijvanger. The building was rebuilt in 1999 by the Kraaijvanger Urbis architectural office, with a drastic change in the interior. A few monumental elements such as the tower with the stairwell, a few meeting rooms and safes have been preserved.
1. Symbolism & Patterns
We have noticed excel in symbolism and patterns present in the building with a deeper meaning than just architectural decisions. Patterns are visible from the entrance, and follow through the whole tour. Curiously, there are many symbols across the structure, from Zodiac signs to symbols that need to bring attention to a building with unconventional design choices.
2. Building as a soul
During the stakeholder map development we decided to do something unconventional, present the building as its own person. Kraaijvangers have been questioning what their buildings are like after the development, who they serve, what stories they tell. We have taken this as an important anchor in our thought and ideation processes. In result all following decisions our team took was to have in mind Blaak 40 as its own being.
3. Stories preserve stories
It has been very important for Kraaijvanger to this day to preserve stories of people. Architecture and building is not only about the materials and construction but it is something more. It is PEOPLE! The structure which gathers and connects people, for decades it has been a place for communities of different backgrounds. Moreover, stories have been told from the beginning of time, among the campfires and the communities, stories have been told over centuries and it is the core of what is binding us all as humanity.
From 25 initial concepts our team narrowed it down to 3 best using Decision Matrix and then took best parts of all them to combine into the final concept.
To get better understanding of the space we created a scale model and performed a desktop walkthrough.
This is the final idea on how the content is going to be presented inside the building. In combination with sound shower technology to tell the stories behind images, digital frames create a solution for this interesting design challenge. Full presentation of the concept is available in the video on top of that page.
Explore our concept in this video, where we show how design can create engaging moments while respecting the building’s natural flow.
In this project, I had to develop five concepts overnight, which pushed me to ideate quickly and efficiently. While creating an experience within a building where people also just go about their everyday tasks, I realized that UX isn’t just about what to do—it’s equally about understanding what not to do. This way the experience fits naturally into lives of all visitors, not only the ones we target.