Booking.com City Campus, located in the heart of Amsterdam, is a testament to innovation and community-building. In 2015, the renowned tech giant Booking.com teamed up with BPD (Bouwfonds Property Development) to commission the brilliant minds at UNStudio to design their new campus. The primary objective was to craft a vibrant and healthy community that would unite employees and entice talent worldwide.
© Hufton+Crow
Booking.com City Campus’ Design Concept
As a leading tech industry player, Booking.com was determined to have its headquarters mirror its status and be a magnet for top young talent. Hence, the Booking.com City Campus’ design revolved around this aspiration. Thorough research involved visiting other successful tech company buildings, but Booking.com aimed higher, seeking to create an unprecedented experience for its workforce, something fresh and distinctive.
© Hufton+Crow
From the outset, the focus was on cultivating a work environment that nurtured its employees’ social, physical, and mental well-being. To inspire movement and interaction, the architecture seamlessly integrated engaging elements such as stairs, bridges, and galleries that linked all levels, extending to the rooftop. Surprisingly, even the emergency staircases were thoughtfully designed with glazed walls, ensuring daily use and allowing light and views to permeate the space.
© Hufton+Crow
Incorporating cutting-edge technology, underfloor air distribution provided fresh air near users, while radiant ceilings offered comfortable heating and cooling solutions. Deliberate attention to acoustics and ample daylight, supplemented by low-glare artificial lighting, enhanced visual comfort throughout the building.
Furthermore, the entire Booking.com City Campus embodied sustainability, earning a prestigious BREEAM Excellent Design certificate. A connected building management system streamlined operations, providing a frictionless experience for employees and staff.
© Hufton+Crow
A collaborative approach to interior design further enriched the Booking.com City Campus ‘allure. While UNStudio excelled at designing the urban landscape and architecture, the interior masterplan was the brainchild of the Lead Interior Architect, HofmanDujardin. They masterfully oversaw the collaboration and execution of the interior design, resulting in a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality.
© Hufton+Crow
One of the interior design highlights was the incorporation of 28 micro holiday destination breakout spaces strategically scattered throughout the campus. These communal areas served as unique themed destinations, each equipped with service points, restaurants, and breakout spaces with pantries, catering to the needs and preferences of the employees.
© Ewout Huibers
The workspace layout was intentionally flexible and generous, allowing various working and meeting spaces. This diversity in meeting rooms and amenities empowered employees to tailor their day according to their preferences, promoting a healthy and productive work-life balance. Overall, the Booking.com City Campus’ design reflected Booking.com’s ethos of transparency, connectivity, and versatility, envisioning how the future of work, life, and connection would unfold.
© Maarten Willemstein
Booking.com City Campus is a collection of buildings and an ecosystem fostering creativity, collaboration, and well-being. It stands tall as a symbol of modern innovation, attracting top talent and setting new benchmarks in the tech industry’s architectural landscape. As employees stroll through its dynamic spaces, they are inspired to reach new heights, driving the company’s success to unprecedented levels. With its visionary design and commitment to its people, Booking.com City Campus is undoubtedly a landmark of inspiration in the bustling heart of Amsterdam.
© Matthijs van Roon
Project Info:
- Architects: UNStudio, Hofman Dujardin
- Year: 2023
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Photographs: Hufton+Crow, Matthijs van Roon, Ewout Huibers, Maarten Willemstein
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Manufacturers: Hunter Douglas Architectural (Europe), Kone, Sorba
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Lighting Design Consultant: a.g LICHT
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Structural Engineering: Aronsohn
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Building Physics: DPA
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Acoustics Consultant: DPA
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Quantity Surveying: IGG
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MEP Consultant: Techniplan
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Vertical Transportation: Techniplan
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Architecture: UNstudio: Ben van Berkel with Arjan Dingsté, Marianthi Tatari, Marc Hoppermann, Misja van Veen, Juergen Heinzel, Ariane Stracke, René Toet and Albert Gnodde, Albert Laarman, Anna Garazdowska, Ardit Curraj, Ayax Abreu, Bruno Peris, Clare Porter, Cristina Bolis, Ergin Birinci, Georgios Siokas, Guilherme Miranda, Ivo van Capelleveen, Izak Kljakovic, Jolien Bruin, Juan Luis Mayen Moran, Ka Shin Liu, Luke Tan, Mahmoud Meligy, Mark Maas, Martin Zangerl, Maya Christodoulaki, Menida Avram, Mitchel Verkuijlen, Olivier Yebra, Pieter Doets, Robbie Neijzen, Ryszard Rychlicki, Alex Tahinos, Argyrios Delithanasis, Bart Bonenkamp, Gary Polk, Ke Quan, Kyle Tousant, Mahmoud Meligy, Ryan Henriksen, Xinyu Wang, Yan Ma, Derrick Diporedjo, Gys le Roux, Jahan Tahamtan, Lu Ding
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Lead Interior Architect: HofmanDujardin
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Interior Area Designers: CBRE Design Collective, HofmanDujardin, i29 interior architects, Linehouse, Studio Modijefsky, UNStudio
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Interior Layer Designers: Mijksenaar, MOSS, Powerplant, Scholten & Baijings, Studio Rublek
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Green Specialist: Moss
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Interior Lighting Design: Studio Rublek
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Interior Acoustic Consultant: Rhdhv
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Av Consultant: Heuvelman Sound & Vision
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F&B Consultant: Enbiun
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Bim Manager: B+M
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Fire Safety Consultant: DPA
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Façade Consultant: IBS
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City: Amsterdam
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Country: The Netherlands
