Cambridge Innovation Centre (CIC), Rotterdam

Serving as a gateway to Europe, CIC Rotterdam builds on the already existing community of entrepreneurs, investors and established companies. In line with the high standards that CIC applies, the Rotterdam branch offers high quality flexible office space, coworking workplaces, event space and facilities. Whether you are a one-person company or a fast-growing 20+ person company, the CIC Rotterdam innovation community will offer you the best environment from which you can focus on improving the world.

Rethink

CIC operates exactly at the crossroads of education, government and business and thus provides a unique answer to "learning work environment". Their assignment was clear: "We want to radically improve the start-up community in the Netherlands, help us with that!" CIC and Kraaijvanger have been working together for 3 years and are now realizing the third phase of this start-up ecosystem. In the design we find the balance between the three great forces that stimulate innovation: density, diversity and proximity. The large density of different workspaces is created and the entrepreneurs can provide themselves with their own identity. Strategically very strong within this concept is the fact that the essential facilities are always within reach on the floors. The corridors bring daylight deep into the building and ensure that visitors always discover surprising places.

Reuse

The design and implementation of this unique sustainable upgrade was completed in record time. Custom-made light fixtures have been designed for the transformation, and art from local artists has been integrated in collaboration with Arttenders. Mostly circular materials have been (re) used. Such as the reuse of the building, the existing installations, building materials such as interior walls, profiles and furniture. For Kraaijvanger Architects, transformations like this are an important step towards a sustainable future for existing buildings.