Klaas Vermaas Portfolio

Introduction

As a design architect I have both originated and collaborated on the design of many buildings of different types and scales. For well over twenty years I have worked for various companies with different architectural specializations, allowing me a broad experience in the field.

I have a realistic approach to design but am also aware of the different interests and responsibilities that underlie the process of actual development and construction.

Although my work has been mostly locally based, I am aware of the transformation of the architectural profession both by technology and global development. I therefore keep an open mind and a broad perspective on the field worldwide.

Working in design has given me a love for sketching, painting and sculpting, examples of which are featured in this portfolio.

In addition to my design work I am an avid architectural photographer, documenting contemporary as well as 20th century architecture in all its guises in my photo collection of over 30.000 images. My pictures have appeared in multiple magazines and books.

I have a broad interest in science, art and technology as well as social issues.

Klaas Vermaas

Illustrated here are highlights from my completed architecture designs for various employers during my career. In every case my involvement was as a (project) design architect in a lead or cooperative capacity.

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Worldhotel Wings, Rotterdam Airport, the NetherlandsCompleted 2015

140 room, 4 star luxury hotel and conference center straddling land- and airside on Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

Special features include long stay penthouse apartments, wine bar terrace, high security VIP facilities and a rooftop helicopter platform.

Its special location allows for an an auditorium and event space bordering the apron for airplane related events and product launches.More..

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Centrumplan Reghthuysplein, Nieuwkoop, the NetherlandsCompleted 2014

Urban renewal project with apartments, retail, a restaurant and a community center all around a historic lakeside square. More..

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Rabobank regional office, Woerden, the NetherlandsCompleted 2013

Winning competition entry for the banking hall of a Rabobank region HQ. Located on the lower floors of a pre-existing commercial office building.

This project included significant remodeling of the building exterior as well as interior public and employee spaces. More..

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Vosko office building, Gouda, the NetherlandsCompleted 2014

This 1970’s office building was stripped to its frame, redesigned and rebuilt to suit the needs of it’s new users. Designing the interior of workspaces, restaurant and main lobby was included in the brief. More..

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Villa Westeinde, Moordrecht, the NetherlandsCompleted 2011

Located in a typical Dutch setting along the Hollandsche IJssel river, this thatched roof villa has an expressionist twist. More..

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Brinkhuis cultural center & libraryLaren (NH), the NetherlandsCompleted 2012

This cultural center is housed in a 19th century Neo-gothic convent complex. The new library addition curves into its garden. More..

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Bandstand, Bodegraven, the NetherlandsCompleted 2012

Winning competition entry located outside the town hall on te main square. Made of steel, glass and bluestone, this structure is meant to be both unobtrusive and sculptural. More..

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Crown storage center,Alphen a/d Rijn, the NetherlandsCompleted 2012

Drive-in multilevel self- storage facility.More..

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Drie Hoven housing developmentDriebruggen, the NetherlandsCompleted 2010

32 unit development, consisting of individual, duplex and terraced housing located on three interlinked artificial islands overlooking a meadow landscape.

Each island has its own style and typology attracting different kinds of residents.More..

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Zwammerdam Company building,Bodegraven, the NetherlandsCompleted 2011

Industrial building for a road construction company. As the site borders an elevated train track and highway, the cantilevered floor insures visibility from the road and acts as a natural entrance canopy.

The red brick wall was a requirement of the urban plan. The 'big eye' looks down the axis of the acces road.More..

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Rabobank Marktstraat,Bodegraven, the NetherlandsCompleted 2014

This bank office interior was renewed to fit a much reduced space. Simple, clean lines and themes create order in an otherwise amorphous space.More..

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Duplex housing, Aarlanderveen, the NetherlandsCompleted 2011

The asymmetric exterior and stepped placing create a deviation from the standard mirrored duplex type, adding interest to this small scale development.More..

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Sterrenbad public pool complex,Wassenaar, the NetherlandsCompleted 2010

Large scale public pool complex with spaces for fitness and community services on the upper levels. Two wedges intersect around a double height void. The lower wedge has a green roof.More..

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Benedenberg twin houses,Bergambacht, the NetherlandsCompleted 2010

These two mirrored houses are set well back on ther lot, facing a long common driveway. The rear overlooks an open meadow landscape.More..

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Porsche showroom & workshop, Bodegraven, the NetherlandsCompleted 2009

Showroom and workshop for an independent Porsche tuning and repair company. Although not an official dealer, the client wanted the design to fit the brand image.More..

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Kroonstate office building,Utrecht, the NetherlandsDesign 2001 | Completed 2007

Commercial office development on the prestigious Papendorp office park. Designed in 2001, but completed in 2007 due to the economic change-of -climate.

Its slender sides and dramatic canopy face toward the busy A12 highway, giving it an elegant appearance despite its considerable volume.More..

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Wasserstraelen public pool complex,Straelen, GermanyCompleted 2007 Emphasizing wellness, this complex includes an aquagym pool and elaborate sauna. The building is situated in a larger recreational area amongst cycling and running facilities.More..

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Vd Hoogenband aquatic stadium,Eindhoven, the NetherlandsCompleted 2006

Built to accomodate the European championships, this 3000 seat stadium features a 50m competition pool, a 25 m diving pool and high-tech training facilities.

Green banks and roofs integrate the mass of the stadium into its natural park setting.More..

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De Mammoet sports center, Gouda, the NetherlandsCompleted 2005

Indoor sports center with two divisible halls, multifunctional spaces and cafe.More..

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ROC van Amsterdam,Amsterdam, the NetherlandsCompleted 2003

Large scale VMBO educational center, including restaurant, offices, indoor sports facilities and underground parking.More..

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Domus office buildingCompleted 2001

Multitenant office building, featuring an entrance atrium and roof terrace.More..

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Office buildings Helsinkilaan,Woerden, the NetherlandsCompleted 1997-99 Two small scale office buildings, located on the edge of a residential area.More..

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B+P company building,Veenendaal, the NetherlandsCompleted 1998

The glass office and restaurant block of this industrial building extend to make the most of its location along the A12 highway.More..

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De Reehorst theater and cinema,Ede, the NetherlandsCompleted 1996

Originally the 1928 workers club of the nearby Enka plant, over time this building became part of a congress center.

Its multiple uses required more seating and better sightlines, as well as an adjoining foyer.

A new slanted floor divides the existing cubic space into the Vivaldi auditorium above and the Mozart foyer below. The two are linked through new stairwells. More..

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Coulisse house,Zeewolde, the NetherlandsCompleted 1995

Modest house for a young family. The master bedroom occupies a ground floor wing. The childrens bedrooms are situated on the upper level with the landing acting as an extended playroom.

The double height void connects it to the living below. The other ground floor wing contains the entrance and kitchen and integrates the carport.More..

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Klaas Vermaas | work | play | more

Now and then I want to explore an architectural idea outside of the constraints of my work. These are studies I do for myself both as training and for a challenge. They also reflect my interest in metabolist megastructures, modularity, the brutalist aesthetic, high-tech and space frame structures.

Multilevel apartmentsDesign for spacious apartments with optimised views and outdoor space. The modules can be linked in various ways. More..

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HabitatDesign study for a sprawling residential megastructure incorporating those architectural elements I love: spaceframes, biodomes, seating landscapes, conversation pits, modules, pods, artificial landscapes, indoor ponds, inflatables etc.More..

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OasisSpace & material design study in an idealised desert setting More..

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Bell jar house Modular residential design study based around maximizing views and creating an interior landscape without separate rooms. The space frame structure allows for variety in the stacking of the modules. Possible privacy concerns are adressed by electrically adjusting the transparency of the double skinned glazing panels. More..

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Atlantikwall visitor centerDesign study for a visitor/ information center and viewpoint on the northern French coast.More..

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Beach house in a northern country.An excercise in the brutalist aesthetic. More..

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Space frame structureMass-study design for a space frame (mega)structure straddling its urban environment. More..

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MegastructureRetro concept design & presentation study for a self-contained residential megastructure. More..

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Pillow skin towerModular residential building based on the pillow skin house (1401) More..

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All terrain ResidenceStacked and stepped modular residential building based on the all-terrain house (1301) More..

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Pillow skin house Transparent inflatable-facade dwelling for indoor-outdoor living. More..

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All terrain ResidenceModular, prefabricated and portable living unit for any terrain. More..

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Klaas Vermaas | work | play | more

In addition to architectural design I am also interested in other creative fields. Here are some samples of my sketches, sculptures, graphics and (architectural) photography.

SketchingDespite doing most of my work using a computer, I still love hand-drawing, sketching and doodling.More..

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Architectural photograpyFor me, taking and processing photographs is a way of “feeding my head” . Out of this grew my architectural photograpy reference collection on FlickrMy photo’s have been published in multiple books and magazines. More..

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IllustrationA selection of digital sketches & graphics I made.More..

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PaintingA selection of paintings I made in oils and watercolour. More..

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SculptureSculptures I made in wood, stone and concrete. More..

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