Refitting Vacancy for the Creative Industry: A Strategy to Create and Maintain a Creative Community

The high vacancy rate in the office building market in the Netherlands is mainly explained by an overproduction of office space. The demand is expected to decrease further due to aging of the population, a changing economy and the decreasing need for space. A possible new end-user is the creative industry. The different working standards of this...

Adaptive capacity of buildings: A determination method to promote flexible and sustainable construction

The subject adaptive construction is already for decades on the agenda of the construction sector. The adaptive capacity of a building includes all properties and qualities that enable the building keeping its (economic feasible) functionality during the technical life cycle, under altered conditions and needs. Meanwhile, the interest in...

Priorities in Accommodating office user preferences: Impact on office users decision to stay or go

Purpose When current accommodation is unsatisfactory, office organisations consider relocating to new accommodation that optimally facilitates their main processes and supports image and financial yield. However, due to high vacancy levels, public opinion and governmental awareness oppose new office construction. Reusing existing buildings could...

Out of Office: A Study on the Cause of Office Vacancy and Transformation as a Means to Cope and Prevent

Office building vacancy is becoming an increasingly visible part of the cityscape. Billboards shout “for rent” and office locations look abandoned even in the middle of the day. Still, new office buildings and locations are being developed, adding up to the built environment. As hardly any office buildings are demolished, adapted or transformed,...

A new life: Transformation of vacant office buildings into housing

Office buildings are experiencing vacancy. This leads to financial problems for the owners and social problems for the community, e.g. vandalism and deterioration. A solution may be found in transformation of vacant buildings and changing the buildings’ program. In the Dutch situation, housing is a valid function, given the tight market. Housing...