Arnhem, the Netherlands, July 2, 2007 - Akzo Nobel has selected the architects who will design the company's new corporate headquarters, to be constructed in the Zuidas area of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Working in cooperation with ING Real Estate, the company sought advice from several experts and following a thorough selection process, the unanimous choice was Rotterdam-based Group A.
Their preliminary designs for the new permanent HQ - scheduled to be ready in 2011 - demonstrated that Group A had the right vision and expertise to create an eye-catching building befitting a global organization.
"This is a significant development and we are delighted to be making such good progress with our plans for the new corporate headquarters," said Akzo Nobel Board member Leif Darner. "Group A has an excellent reputation and we are looking forward to fine-tuning their initial proposals and making this project a great success for all concerned."
Work will now begin on further development of the preliminary designs, with Akzo Nobel keen to ensure that full attention is given to areas such as sustainability and environmental issues. The final design for the 14,000 square meter building - to be located in the Beethoven area of the Zuidas - is expected to be approved by early 2008.
Akzo Nobel will be officially relocating its corporate headquarters from Arnhem to Amsterdam in early August. Around 100 employees will move to a temporary base in the Zuidas district - close to the site of the new HQ - which will position the company closer to the international community in which it operates. Once the new building is ready, it will become Akzo Nobel's permanent global headquarters.
Responsible for designing the stunning European head office for Saudi Arabian company Sabic, as well as award-winning projects such as the renovation of the Caballero factory in The Hague, Group A were recently nominated for the newly-introduced Dutch Architect of the Year award.
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Note to editors
Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on both the Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with coatings, chemicals and human and animal healthcare products. We employ around 62,000 people and conduct our activities in these four segments, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2006 totaled EUR 13.7 billion. The financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 24, 2007.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
The Beethoven area of Zuidas in Amsterdam is an integrated area development project being realised by ING Real Estate. The area is to gain a wide variety of urban functions but will retain its distinct 'green' landscaped character. The number of office buildings will be limited to three so as to provide abundant space for culture, living, social functions, shopping and going out. The Platform 21 Design Museum, the new Nicolaas Lyceum school building plus 200 apartments are to be built here.
Internet: www.ingrealestate.com
Not for publication - for more information
Akzo Nobel nv
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 26 366 43 43
Contact: Tim van der Zanden
