The National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) is a closed campus tucked away in the woods of Bilthoven. The campus is dominated by gloomy office blocks and concrete laboratories. It was planned that the Cohen-building (1986) should host the new gym for employees, which nowadays has become a standard part of Dutch terms of employment in order to keep workers fit and healthy. The available space, which was in use as standard offices in a spacious yet dark office landscape, was stripped completely. The closed front panels were replaced with glass. In the part of the space with a double high ceiling a volume is placed that is floating in the air, which accommodates the dressing rooms. The wooden benches on either side are carefully positioned in line with the size and pattern of the tiles. The same applies to the shower drain and the mirror.
The lockers, made in perforated-steel, are placed against the outer glass wall, enabling backlight to conceal the partially visible contents of the lockers. The wash basins are, as well as the framework and the number plates of the lockers, made in sandblasted stainless steel.
As a project architect of the Government Buildings Agency Marlies Boterman has turned different levels of transparency, reflection and concealment into important themes in her design. Supplies such as installations, lightning and mirrors have been wholly integrated behind a layer of perforated white panels, which cover the ceiling and the walls. This white ‘veil’ differs subtly between surfaces and together with the white and shiny cast-floor brings about a serenity, which enables the athlete to concentrate and perform optimally. The employees can look outside through the veil, while it is hardly possible to be watched from the other side, thereby guaranteeing privacy to the athletes. Confrontational mirrors are placed carefully. Through the partition-wall, with its golden trophy box, passers-by are only able to catch glimpses of exercising colleagues. Due to the mirroring effect of the shiny golden studs they mainly see their own reflection. It is a glamorous eye-catching element of the design.
Silhouettes resembling sports trophies are punched onto the golden studs. From a distance the golden studs also form shapes of sports cups and ribbons on a bigger scale. The idea of this trophy box came from Joachim Baan.
The integral approach, the precise and consistent detailing together with the glamorous use of materials make this design a powerful statement representing an attractive space.

photos Joachim Baan

text Machteld Kors

translation: Willem Boterman,