Delfland Water Authority
Boosting collaboration in a complex of buildings
A complete renovation/restoration has transformed the Delfland Water Authority headquarters, enhancing the building complex’s sustainability. Silo designed creative elements that stimulate social connectivity, spark dialogue or provide privacy in an open office environment.
Optimising a building complex
The Water Authority headquarters consist of a series of buildings in the historic heart of Delft. The architectural design by Mecanoo optimises freedom of movement and boosts collaboration among its users. Silo enriches the environment by adding an identity layer.
Left: Monumental facade with family crests. Right: Gemeenlandshuis and Oude Kerk, 1877.
Family crests and water maps
Water Authorities assure us of clean and safe open water and protect us against flooding. The Delfland Water Authority is housed in the historic centre of Delft behind a facade which dates back to 1505. The family crests on the facade reference the days when influential families determined the look of the first water maps.
The Water Authority headquarters is a complex of old and more recent buildings in the historic heart of Delft. Mecanoo won the tender for renovation, restoration and enhancing the complex’ sustainability with the help of SILO.
The architectural design optimizes the freedom of movement and boosts collaboration between its users. SILO was asked to conceive a plan for creative interventions that support the identity of the organization, whilst improving the working environment.
Water management
Over the past centuries, the Netherlands has gathered a lot of knowledge in the field of water management. With innovative techniques, the use of natural processes, and a dynamic approach, we can manage the water smartly. The cooperation between man and nature, regulated watercourses, and free-flowing streams result in an impressive system of waterways.
Virtual world of millions of droplets
Waterway systems were the starting point for SILO to research a distinctive visual language. Using 3D animation software we created a virtual water world and applied a simulation model to it. Millions of droplets flow through the waterways. They provide a dramatic spectacle of static and dynamic patterns, encompassing the organization’s core tasks.
Signed: A cooperation between Silo, Mecanoo Architecten, and TextielLab / Textielmuseum Tilburg.
From high-tech to high-craft
Inspired by the antique water maps in the Water Authority’s collection, SILO created a monumental tapestry for the central hall based on the virtual world of waterways. The tapestry is made up of millions of ‘water drops’.
From the simulation, a water map appears as a wavy landscape. Visual features of cartography, water behavior and the reflection of sunlight intertwine to form a rich composition that is constantly moved by water – lots of water.
The selection of yarns, prototyping of the weaving and assembly of the tapestry were done in close collaboration with TextielLab.
Collaboration with TextielLab
In collaboration with the TextielLab in Tilburg, the water map has been processed and linked to different textile yarns. After a proofing phase, different types of wool, viscose, cotton, copper and reflective yarn were selected. The variation of yarns in combination with the specific weaving style causes a wavy effect. The various woven lanes have been combined to form the 50 m2 tapestry, totaling 23,739 km of thread and 1,030,978 ‘water drops’.
Water binds
The images used on the many glass partition walls were also derived from the virtual water world. Depending on the density of the water droplets, they offer transparency or privacy in the office environment.
Whereas the tapestry as conversation starter strengthens the social cohesion in the workplace, the window applications create a continuous layer of identity. Each component serves a practical purpose and helps to tell the story of the Delfland Water Authority.
"We always involve external experts if that will create added value for our clients. The elements Silo developed unequivocally represent the DNA of the Delfland Water Authority.
– Paul Ketelaar, former partner Mecanoo architecten
– Paul Ketelaar, former partner Mecanoo architecten
