Mizuho Headquarters.
Japan meets the Netherlands
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. is the retail and corporate banking division of Mizuho Financial Group, which is Japan's third-largest financial services company. It is one of Japan's three major banks.The name "Mizuho" comes from an old Japanese term meaning "golden ears of rice," which was mentioned in the classical text Nihon Shoki to represent Japan.
Client
Mizuho headquarters
Category
Office
Scale
1.800 m2
Location
Amsterdam Zuidas
Assignment
Mizuho Bank asked us to design the new home of their European headquarters at Amsterdam's Zuidas business district.
The office had to fit in with Mizuho's business look and feel as reflected in all current offices around the world.
In short, creating a new working environment, completely Mizuho, but with a Dutch touch.
Result
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Global Mizuho Bank identity, but with a local touch.
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Layout: open plan yet discreet.
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Designed for European and Japanese customers.
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Fully compliant with bank security and privacy requirements.
Cherry blossom trees and Dutch national colour
Without losing sight of the look and feel of Mizuho Bank, we created a fresh design that blends Japanese refinement and cutting-edge Dutch Design statements: 'Japan meets the Netherlands'.
Light, fresh and bold statements
The Japanese have a preference for refined wood species. Therefore, we mixed light, fresh ash with warm walnut. We transformed the door handles and contours of the brightly coloured furniture doors into bold design statements that the Netherlands is known for. The plank supports in the entrance hall and the waiting areas have been finished with refined details. The planks are folded to expose the blue colour. Red metal wire was threaded through the planks for additional stability.
The dew-pattern offers visual privacy
Morning dew is very common in both the Netherlands and Japan due to high humidity and cold temperatures. The concept of morning dew formed the inspiration for offering visual privacy to the meeting rooms. The dew-patterned window film adds a beautiful, soft element to the corporate environment.
Each space has its own identity
The office building boasts an entrance hall, several meeting rooms with open-plan and enclosed office spaces, and a lunch area with coffee corner. Each space has its own identity depending on the function, which is expressed in the chosen colours and materials. Calming colours and texture-rich materials pull the different areas together while preserving their distinctive nature.
Team
Visit this place?
A beautiful fusion of the corporate identity with a local touch. Would you like to see for yourself how the special details and refined materials come together? Call Lieke for an appointment.
