Case Studies BoLLes+WILson: InventIve DesIgn yIeLds extraordInary resuLts

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	BoLLes+WILson: InventIve DesIgn yIeLds extraordInary resuLts

BoLLes+WILson: InventIve DesIgn yIeLds extraordInary resuLts

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Construction & Infrastructure Retail
Applicable Functions	Facility Management Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Building Automation & Control Building Energy Management Digital Twin
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	A town hall and a multiplex movie theater may not seem the ideal partners; however, you can find this combination in Dutch Haarlem at the Raakspoort Project thanks to the involvement of BOLLES+WILSON. The 18,500-square-meter complex’s functional mix of local government headquarters and a cultural center rises like a monument amid Haarlem’s ancient gables, yet it blends with its surroundings perfectly to create a symbiotic combination. BOLLES+WILSON participated in this dense and highly urban neighborhood renovation from the beginning and experienced the constant refinement of the building’s use and function. For example, initial plans called for an eight-screen movie theater on the top levels with an underground casino and parking for staff. After much debate, the theater and casino locations reversed, and then the casino was scrapped from the project and replaced with a town hall. This change enabled the designers to insert windows into the brick façade that would give a traditional scale rather than the closed box of an entertainment venue – a suitable change that functions well within its contextual surroundings and creates visual interest. The final design features recycled arches, carved stone, and sculptures to animate and connect the building to the street. There’s also a clock tower and a brick skin that looks like shadowy, woven fabric articulated by two different mortar colors. Read More
About Customer	The formidable leadership and design skill of founding partners Prof. Julia Bolles-Wilson and Peter Wilson have guided the firm to achieve results that enhance the cultural and urban context in which their works reside. They creatively invent spaces with a distinctive and unique character based on their expertise in residential, commercial, retail, public, and interior architecture, as well as product design, and urban and landscape planning. Supporting the founders is a team of 20 whose roles range from architects and draftsmen to administrative and construction management staff, as well as student apprentices. BOLLES+WILSON is known for its innovative and contextually sensitive designs, which have earned them numerous awards and recognition in the architectural community. Read More
Solution	When designing projects such as Haarlem’s Raakspoort, planning on the computer follows the idea, and Vectorworks® Architect software was a constant assistant over the multi-year project and planning phases. The staff at BOLLES+WILSON appreciated how the program helped them create compelling presentation drawings and layouts, as well as sophisticated, technical designs. “We classify our projects in a standard and clearly organized structure on the server,” said Axel Kemper, an architect at BOLLES+WILSON. “That way, everyone in the office can quickly and easily find the files they are looking for. Having the smallest possible number of planning files makes the work efficient. Plus, Vectorworks offers great possibilities, especially for surfaces with raster image fills, transparencies, and shadows.” Kemper enjoys the embedded texture options within Vectorworks Architect software. For the Raakspoort Project, he recalled, “We were able to represent the brick façade very realistically by manipulating Vectorworks textures. When you now see the finished building on the site, you have the feeling that the drawings were implemented on a 1:1 scale.” The result is a distinctively charming surface that adds an earthly quality to the overall architecture and for which BOLLES+WILSON earned the Brick Development Association’s Worldwide Brick Award 2012 for its innovative details. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Construction & Infrastructure

Retail

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control

Building Energy Management

Digital Twin

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

A town hall and a multiplex movie theater may not seem the ideal partners; however, you can find this combination in Dutch Haarlem at the Raakspoort Project thanks to the involvement of BOLLES+WILSON. The 18,500-square-meter complex’s functional mix of local government headquarters and a cultural center rises like a monument amid Haarlem’s ancient gables, yet it blends with its surroundings perfectly to create a symbiotic combination. BOLLES+WILSON participated in this dense and highly urban neighborhood renovation from the beginning and experienced the constant refinement of the building’s use and function. For example, initial plans called for an eight-screen movie theater on the top levels with an underground casino and parking for staff. After much debate, the theater and casino locations reversed, and then the casino was scrapped from the project and replaced with a town hall. This change enabled the designers to insert windows into the brick façade that would give a traditional scale rather than the closed box of an entertainment venue – a suitable change that functions well within its contextual surroundings and creates visual interest. The final design features recycled arches, carved stone, and sculptures to animate and connect the building to the street. There’s also a clock tower and a brick skin that looks like shadowy, woven fabric articulated by two different mortar colors.

About Customer

The formidable leadership and design skill of founding partners Prof. Julia Bolles-Wilson and Peter Wilson have guided the firm to achieve results that enhance the cultural and urban context in which their works reside. They creatively invent spaces with a distinctive and unique character based on their expertise in residential, commercial, retail, public, and interior architecture, as well as product design, and urban and landscape planning. Supporting the founders is a team of 20 whose roles range from architects and draftsmen to administrative and construction management staff, as well as student apprentices. BOLLES+WILSON is known for its innovative and contextually sensitive designs, which have earned them numerous awards and recognition in the architectural community.

Solution

When designing projects such as Haarlem’s Raakspoort, planning on the computer follows the idea, and Vectorworks® Architect software was a constant assistant over the multi-year project and planning phases. The staff at BOLLES+WILSON appreciated how the program helped them create compelling presentation drawings and layouts, as well as sophisticated, technical designs. “We classify our projects in a standard and clearly organized structure on the server,” said Axel Kemper, an architect at BOLLES+WILSON. “That way, everyone in the office can quickly and easily find the files they are looking for. Having the smallest possible number of planning files makes the work efficient. Plus, Vectorworks offers great possibilities, especially for surfaces with raster image fills, transparencies, and shadows.” Kemper enjoys the embedded texture options within Vectorworks Architect software. For the Raakspoort Project, he recalled, “We were able to represent the brick façade very realistically by manipulating Vectorworks textures. When you now see the finished building on the site, you have the feeling that the drawings were implemented on a 1:1 scale.” The result is a distinctively charming surface that adds an earthly quality to the overall architecture and for which BOLLES+WILSON earned the Brick Development Association’s Worldwide Brick Award 2012 for its innovative details.

Impact #1	BOLLES+WILSON's design approach involves studying the site and allowing the design idea to mature over time, which has proven successful in creating contextually sensitive and innovative architecture.
Impact #2	The firm uses Vectorworks Architect software extensively for planning, presentation drawings, and technical designs, which helps in maintaining an organized and efficient workflow.
Impact #3	The Raakspoort Project features a mix of local government headquarters and a cultural center, with design elements like recycled arches, carved stone, and a clock tower that blend well with the historical surroundings.

Impact #1

BOLLES+WILSON's design approach involves studying the site and allowing the design idea to mature over time, which has proven successful in creating contextually sensitive and innovative architecture.

Impact #2

The firm uses Vectorworks Architect software extensively for planning, presentation drawings, and technical designs, which helps in maintaining an organized and efficient workflow.

Impact #3

The Raakspoort Project features a mix of local government headquarters and a cultural center, with design elements like recycled arches, carved stone, and a clock tower that blend well with the historical surroundings.

Benefit #1	The Raakspoort Project spans 18,500 square meters.
Benefit #2	The rooftop lake in the RS+Yellow warehouse measures 50x60 meters with a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters.

Benefit #1

The Raakspoort Project spans 18,500 square meters.

Benefit #2

The rooftop lake in the RS+Yellow warehouse measures 50x60 meters with a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters.

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Overview

BoLLes+WILson: InventIve DesIgn yIeLds extraordInary resuLts

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit