Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP07

Venéco | DB+

The fact that IT company Venéco and telecoms business DB+ have merged is barely noticeable in the redesigned building. The new styling, fresh colour scheme and new furniture have eased the process of merging the two companies and form the cornerstone of their common corporate culture. Ahrend was put in charge of the interior design and its completion, with Furniture as a Service providing specialist assistance.

Creating a new corporate culture

The plan was for Venéco to move into the premises of DB+ in Wateringen once the merger had taken place. The canteen would also need to be redesigned to ensure there was enough room for everyone. That was the practical side of the redesign project. To Wilbert Nederpelt, CEO of Venéco, the underlying task of refurbishment was more important: encouraging a sense of togetherness and creating a collective corporate culture for the workforce of 140. Complete refurbishment with the backing of both companies’ employees would promote synergy and integration.

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP04

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP05

Respecting the environment

The brief given to Maidy Wensveen, Ahrend account manager, can be summarised as follows: apply fresh colours, make the two companies’ various sponsorships visible and create at least a hundred flexible workstations in an open-plan environment. Wensveen: ‘It was a very open brief, and I was able to manage and implement it from A to Z together with our interior designer, Olga Timmermans. From design to project management, and from the delivery of Ahrend furniture to furniture management via our FaaS scheme. A dream assignment.’

‘Ahrend took care of everything in terms of the design for the refurbishment and the beautiful end result.’

Wilbert Nederpelt CEO Venéco | DB+

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP01

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP08

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP02

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP06

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP12

Sponsors in the interior

The most conspicuous part of this operation was the refurbishment of the atrium. What was once a dark entrance hall now offers a warm yet refreshing welcome to employees and visitors alike. Wensveen: ‘The colour palette was selected very carefully in cooperation with the client. This colour scheme works well with the timber wall cladding and the plants.’
However, she is most proud of the representation of the diverse range of sponsorships in the interior. This has given each conference room its own look and feel: from the sporty ADO Den Haag room to the stunning Panorama Mesdag room with its depiction of the painting of the same name.

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP11

Circular and functional

The open workspace is functionally furnished with red Ahrend Well chairs and Balance desks. The client wanted to keep things as circular as possible when it came to purchasing new furniture. But what about disposing of the existing furniture? Things are not quite as they seem. Nederpelt: ‘We have given all of our old furniture to organisations that can make good use of it. We don’t just throw things away here. My question for Ahrend was: what is the most circular way to furnish? The astonishing answer: buy nothing and make sure that the furniture can be redeployed after use or that the components can be recycled. We opted for Ahrend’s Furniture as a Service with our grandchildren and great-grandchildren in mind. Another attractive point was that leasing furniture leaves more potential for investment in our core activities.’

Royal Ahrend office project interior view of Ven co DB in Wateringen SP09

Venéco | DB+ on Ahrend

‘In terms of the design for the refurbishment and the beautiful end result, Ahrend took care of everything. I didn’t have to worry about anything, which is handy during a merger. Every time I walk inside, I think it’s fantastic. The freshness, the light, the conference rooms... and I’m not the only one! The refurbishment has made a substantial difference in terms of the feeling of belonging at this ‘new’ company; it has accelerated cooperation between the two companies. I really am extremely happy and proud of our ‘new’ building. Working with Ahrend was ideal: they were always responsive to our needs, the coordination was perfect and they always thought in terms of solutions. Take the FaaS scheme: not only is it circular, it’s also very healthy for business. In a word: amazing!’

- Wilbert Nederpelt, CEO Venéco | DB+