Robotic dog and talking waterfall open office campus Antea Group

Engineering and consultancy firm Antea Group today officially inaugurates its new office campus in Heerenveen. After a major renovation, the new 'Home of proud engineers' is a place that is fully equipped for working in the 21st century, innovation and training.

The office buildings and surrounding grounds underwent a complete transformation. "Seventy years ago we started here. We are proud of our roots, but we also want to continue building for the next seventy years," says Tanja Lendzion, CEO Antea Group Netherlands. That innovation is one of the keys to this is demonstrated by robot dog Spot, owned by Antea Group. One hundred invited guests this afternoon watched Spot officially move into its new home: the Innovation Center. The place where new solutions to current challenges such as energy transition, climate change and changing mobility will be worked on together with clients and knowledge institutes. 

Park, meeting center and activity-based work

In addition to the Innovation Center, the office campus has several novelties. For example, the office spaces are set up for Activity Oriented Work (AGW). In this, employees look for a place that matches the work they perform. You will find creative spaces, state-of-the-art meeting rooms and silence and relaxation areas. Furthermore, Woudoord, the monumental country house where the Bosma brothers started the firm in 1951, has been restored to its former glory. The villa serves as a meeting center. Around the buildings a park-like area was laid out, inspired by the High Line Park in New York. This reinforces the campus feeling. 

Talking waterfall

During the opening, a role is also played by the waterfall at the heart of the office. The waterfall (containing an animation) tells something about the history of the building, but also refers to the corona crisis that drastically changed office use. Tanja Lendzion emphasizes that the way of working has changed. "We know that employees can do a lot from home. This does not alter the fact that an office also has a future. But especially as a meeting place that inspires and invites employees to work together. A place that provides connection with knowledge institutes, startups and clients." 

Moss walls and fishnet floors

In addition to innovation, sustainability is an important theme for Antea Group. This is also reflected in the interior design of the office campus. For example, the floors are made from recycled fishing nets and there are chairs made from recycled PET bottles. To create a pleasant working environment, there are many plants and partitions with moss. A waterfall runs through all floors, providing good humidity. In addition, the parking lot has become a charging station: the fleet of vehicles of the engineering and consultancy firm will soon be completely electric. Naturally, the buildings are energy-neutral and largely off gas. The office campus is home to some 450 engineers and consultants.