DIRECTIEKANTOOR
The former executive offices of Meelfabriek De Sleutels now accommodate six businesses. The building has been fully refurbished, restoring the facade, window frames and interior to their former glory where possible. The many original features evoke the building’s special history.
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The executive offices were designed by the Dutch architect Bernard Buurman and built in 1940 in the sober expressionist style known as Zakelijk-Expressionisme. A facing brick in the facade comes from a corn mill, dating back to 1734, ‘De Oranjeboom’ (The Orange Tree, a reference to the royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau). The flour was chemically tested in the laboratory on the second floor. The factory workers would then test-bake bread and cakes to ascertain whether the flour was of the right quality and met all the requirements. The staff were allowed to take these test products home in the evening. The authentic Leiden keys above the entrance symbolise the company that had been called ‘Meelfabriek De Sleutels’ (The Keys Flour Mill) since the 1920s. The change of name from ‘Stoom-meelfabriek De Koster & Co.’ reflected the fact that the mill was no longer steam-driven (‘stoom’ means ‘steam’) and had switched to electric power.
WHO’S WHO IN THE DIRECTIEKANTOOR
From a start-up to an NGO: all of them enjoy being here and consider themselves lucky to have one of the sought-after offices in this listed building. The business owners are also excited about the redevelopment, and are delighted that De Meelfabriek will be reused rather than demolished, as sustainability is important to them.
AS I -SEARCH – Anne Marieke Schwencke Anne Marieke Schwencke is an independent researcher in the local energy transition.
GDandP – Graphic Design & Photography, the name speaks for itself. Experience the enthusiasm of this great agency for yourself.
NPK Design is a team of designers, engineers, strategists and researchers with a passion for solving complex problems.
OWN Agency – This advertising agency helps brands grow by using creativity that motivates people.
Polarising is a Portuguese technology company that provides integration services and customized end-to-end software solutions, Yvonne Kubbinga is Country Manager of the office in the Netherlands.
VVHK architecten is a firm of architects who are enthusiastic, committed and knowledgeable partners in the residential and non-residential construction sectors.
GEMIVA – The Gemiva team has a nice place in the Directiekantoor until their final place in the Riffellokaal is ready. The Gemiva participants are enthusiastically committed to entrepreneurs in various disciplines in and around De Meelfabriek through their learning workplaces.
