The manufacturing company Nemag is a family business located on an industrial site in Zierikzee, a small city southwest of Rotterdam. Mecanoo was commissioned to design the new offices and upgrade the 1950’s factory building, respecting its exterior industrial character. The interior will be updated to accommodate the latest technologies and integrate the new extension, strengthening the connection between people and departments.
Innovation is paramount for Nemag, as such, a new future-proof design, twice the size of the existing office will replace the outdated building. Its picturesque location along the harbour canal provided the opportunity to create strong connections to the natural environment. Mecanoo’s design features a welcoming entrance and an inviting façade, surrounded by vegetation.
Strong visual connections between the production area and the offices will establish a healthy working environment that stimulates synergy between the various departments within the factory. The new design is inspired by steel sheet piling, a nod to the industrial character of Nemag. The warm orange-brown colour of the facade matches the brick materialization of the factory and forms a contrast with the surrounding green area.
Durable and recyclable materials bolster an identity that stands for innovation, quality, and reliability. Steel sheets provide a corrosion-resistant facade finish, while materials with neutral tones create a pleasant indoor atmosphere. The design extends into the surroundings, with 15,000 m2 of landscaped spaces, bringing nature into the industrial site. Designed as a Zeeland landscape, the site features grasses, channels, wadis and native trees.