Appèl experience center | Den Bosch

Building with wow factor along the highway

Along the A2 motorway near Den Bosch stands a remarkable, spiral-shaped building: the Appèl experience center. Since this fall, employees and customers of corporate caterer Appèl B.V. and its subsidiary Markies Catering can learn about the latest trends in food and hospitality here. The design of this spectacular building was created by  De Twee Snoeken Architectuur of Den Bosch. 

The main reasons for the new building are lack of space and the fact that experience is becoming increasingly important in this sector. People nowadays want to see and taste. Therefore, a building was designed in which Burgundian hospitality, openness and sustainability prevail. An innovative building that should inspire customers. And where the first floor contains a catering and food experience center. "A completely open space where caterers can receive their customers and showcase their catering and hospitality concepts in the demonstration kitchen and restaurant," says architect Tanja Lamers.

Image: Norbert van Onna.

'Hustle and quiet'
In the center of the building, a void extends upward across all floors. The second floor is also formed by a completely open work floor around the void. From there, contact with the first floor is possible, creating a connection between the work floor and the hospitality concept. As you get higher, the bustle turns into tranquility. That is why all the private office, meeting and training rooms are located on the upper floors. In the basement are the rooms for preparing meals and storage. 

A generous, inviting, steel spiral staircase with a balustrade and steps made of wood was installed in the loft, connecting the first floor to the upper floors. The many oak whitewashed timbers create a "warm spice" in the center of the building. The void combined with the numerous large circular windows creates an open and transparent space.

An inviting steel spiral staircase is placed in the loft....

Design and location
The design of the building is high-profile and looks like it has movement in it. Lamers: "That was also the intention, and at the same time the challenge. The center is in a high-profile location along the highway in the best part of a new business park. Something special had to be built there that could serve both as a showroom and as a business card for the company. With this design, we succeeded. When you drive past the building, it seems to move with you. This is partly due to the round shapes of the building and the glow of the oxidation layer of the Inox stainless steel facade cladding. If you look at the building from a distance, the storey floors seem to shift in relation to each other - quite spectacular." This is partly due to the structure's slightly elevated position in relation to the surrounding terrain. It is nicely nestled into the greenery on Rosmalen Lake, with a tall row of trees as a backdrop.

Sustainability
This greenery is more than just a beautiful backdrop; it also contributes to staff well-being. Sustainability and vitality are important focal points in Appèl's business operations. Because the employees are the hub of the organization, a healthy and inspiring work environment had to be formed. "People and sustainability are central to our design. For example, no gas connection will be installed. Furthermore, the building possesses four hundred solar panels for its own energy generation. In addition, mainly sustainable wood has been used and daylight-controlled LED lighting has been installed everywhere. The flexible layout of the building also allows us to be future-proof," says Lamers.   

Photo: Norbert van Onna.