Office Villa Maliebaan 16 is a consultancy firm based in a Maliebaan villa in Utrecht, Netherlands. The office, which was previously developed and completed by Mecanoo in the late 1990s, went through a renovation conducted again by the same firm. For this project, Mecanoo decided to extend the villa underground. Although they encountered a major challenge since the building forms is a part of a wider heritage protection area, the architects were able to bring out a new look for the office.
The Office
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In this project, Mecanoo has managed to seamlessly interweave the interior, extension, and renovation of Office Villa Maliebaan. The underground extension allows daylight to penetrate inside through two courtyards, creating a comfortable and light working environment.
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Meanwhile, the design comes with a titled lawn at the back to create room for additional office space and a conference room below.
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The sunlight bounces in the north wall thanks to the concrete material used in the spaces. As for the south wall, it is lined with a 40-meter long timber cabinet.
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The ground level acts as the main block with oak ship-deck flooring that continues down the stairs into the lower spaces.
Balanced Unity
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Upon entering the entrance hall, you will see how the daylight fills the space through new windows. The light-filled space then will lead you to other areas displaying a balanced unity between contrasting materials and warm color. 
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The firm restored the urban villa to its original layout, allowing more opportunities for future use. Small extensions and suspended ceilings were also demolished in the plan.
Via Mecanoo
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