Tomorrow’s office is already here

What will tomorrow’s offices be like? Or perhaps more to the point, what should they be like? To get an idea, you need look no further than the futuristic Pharos business complex located in the Amsterdam metropolitan area close to the Hoofddorp railway station.
Extending over a total surface area of about 25,000 square metres facing onto Schiphol International Airport, Pharos has been given a major makeover by the Dutch firm Coare Architectuur&Realisatie, which has redesigned and refurbished the building according to the latest principles of sustainability, health and the circular economy. The result is a modern, state-of-the-art office building that according to the social media presentation, «ensures a perfect work-life balance». It consists of a 19-storey tower and a lower, 6-storey building that prioritises the physical and psychological wellbeing of its occupants. As explained on the website, it «offers not just a desk» but a complete workplace that is welcoming, healthy, dynamic and stimulating, thereby promoting greater productivity and lower absenteeism. «We are proud to have led the architectural design project for Pharos in Hoofddorp,» say the architects. «In terms of health and energy, it is a building that is ahead of its time.» Indeed, while living in the present it seems to speak the language of the future thanks to architectural and interior design choices that combine aesthetics, well-being, comfort, functionality and sustainability. This applies to everything from the interiors, which stand out for their original and fresh look, to the flexible and modular spaces; from the latest intelligent technologies to a waste-free lighting system; from the solar panels on the external façades to an ionisation-based air purification system. Not to mention the wide range of services and the numerous common areas designed for relaxation and socialising, including The Farm Kitchen restaurant, the sky bar on the 19th floor and various green areas.
The materials used are of course innovative and environmentally sustainable, including the Italian-made porcelain tiles from Ceramiche Caesar. In particular, 60×60 cm size tiles from the Slab series in the colour Khaki, part of the Caesar Contract Solution division’s range, were chosen for both the flooring and the staircase designed by Tino Vredenburg. With its textured yet soft-touch surfaces, the collection offers a new ceramic interpretation of slate in a perfect balance between naturalness and originality. It is this same balance — between work and life, between well-being and technology — that distinguishes all Pharos spaces.