The guiding principle of the housing concept

● 3 November 2025

Proud of our back-to-basics office, a (workspace) base to be proud of

● 3 November 2025

We often see photos of fantastic, luxurious offices and we love to showcase them too. But this time, we’re going back to basics. Inspired by the work of our client, Laurens Thuiszorg in Rotterdam.

Two years ago, we delivered the workplace concept: a spatial program of requirements and a conceptual floor plan that could be applied across the entire portfolio. As always, these calculations, drawings, and stories were captured visually, all within just three pages.

WHAT WERE THE NEEDS?

Of course, Laurens was looking for a place to brainstorm with colleagues or work on reports. But after asking a few more questions, it became clear they were mainly in need of space for storage, a cupboard for equipment, gloves, or keys. And when we dug a little deeper, someone sighed and mentioned… a toilet. Never before had such a basic need been such a central topic of conversation and therefore part of the spatial program of requirements.

FROM NEGLECTED IDEAS TO DETERMINATION

Before we came along, several consultants had already visited Laurens Thuiszorg, but each time their ideas ended up in a drawer. That had to change. The home care staff deserved better. Part of the request for help was a passionate plea: to finally make something happen, whether it was with our plans or someone else’s. “Just do something!”

And that’s when it really counts. Will the organization truly commit to making it happen? Will new managers bring new ideas? Where can we support progress? At Laurens Thuiszorg, it wasn’t always easy either. But after two years of internal discussions, debates, and persistence, the path was finally cleared for a large-scale rollout.

FIRST SUCCESSES ARE VISIBLE

The first location is already in use, the second is halfway through construction, and the third renovation is being planned. In the coming years, all locations will gradually be renovated. Time and again, our workplace concept is revisited, ensuring every site fits both in terms of square meters and layout, while expressing the same shared vision of work and care.

THE POWER OF A GOOD FOUNDATION

The time and effort invested in building this foundation are now paying off. The workplace concept helps to quickly assess whether a location is suitable during the search phase, and later guides designers during the design phase, enabling fast and efficient progress.

As promised during the kick-off, I came by with cake to celebrate the opening of the first location. Proudly, photos of the process and the end result were shared.
And they weren’t glossy pictures of luxurious offices, but oh, how proud we all were that it worked out. At last, the care workers at Laurens have a home base to be proud of a place they truly deserve.

Silvia de Haan

Consultant Workplace

[email protected]

+31 (0)6 57 71 97 08

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