Renovating and crowning a Dutch monument

Reborn as Capital C Amsterdam, the former Diamond Exchange is once more a meaningful part of the city. A new centre for the creative industry housed in a sparkling monument, it reflects both the present and the past.

When the architects first stepped into the building, it was an outdated, tired and worn office space. The beauty of the historical building was hidden behind suspended ceilings and wall facings. To fully restore the original features that had been lost in a fire and as a result of past adaptations, the building underwent a major renovation. The vision and beauty of the original 1911 building by Gerrit van Arkel were revived, and a cellar and an iconic, parametrically designed glass dome were added.

Blueprints of the original design had not been preserved, so armed with some archival drawings of the façade, measuring tape and old photos, the designers set out on an extraordinary quest. Combining the expertise and skills available from modern techniques and traditional crafts, they carefully reconstructed the original features. These include two striking towers on the roof, as well as the original balustrade and tympans. The entrance to what was once the Incasso Bank was reinstated and the original tile panelling above it restored to its former glory. Windows have been added in the monumental hall, to let in daylight and make this a pleasant space.