Central Park Office Tower / GROUP A

Architects: GROUP A
Area: 31596 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Sebastian van Damme, Jordi Huisman
Manufacturers: Saint-Gobain, Atlas Schindler, Blitta, CIG Architecture, Curveworks, Duracryl, EeStairs, Gyproc, Homij, Schuco, Seco, Trilux, Verwol
Project Manager: Peak Development
Interior Architect: GROUP A, Raymond Leentvaar
Contractor: Bouwcombinatie Westflank Noord, Wessels Zeist, Wessels Rijssen
Structural Engineer: Van der Vorm Engineering
Building Physics: Peutz bv
Advisor Sustainability: Huygen
Landscape Designers: Makers of Sustainable Spaces
Project Architects: Adam Visser, Chris Woltjes
Architects: Perry Klootwijk, Frank Deltrap, Gabrielius Varnelis, Edwin van Thuijl, Mindaugas Arlauskas, Jos Overmars, Kenny Kwong, Dichao Wang, Jing Lin, Luca Piattelli
Architect and Visual Artist: Laura Onnis
Urban Designer: Greetje van den Nouweland
Client: APF International, Angelo Gordon
Investor: Bouwinvest Dutch Institutional Office Fund
Installation Advisor: Huygen Installation Advisors
City: Utrecht
Country: The Netherlands

Central Park Office Tower, designed by GROUP A, is a sculptural office building centrally located in Utrecht’s Station Area. Standing at 90 meters, the tower is named after its unique subtropical indoor park situated at the 45-meter mark. This two-story park, encased in a glass facade, serves as a tranquil space for employees to relax, brainstorm, and attend events while offering panoramic city views. Central Park sets a new benchmark for green office buildings, integrating nature and sustainability into its design.

GROUP A has completed the Central Park office tower in Utrecht’s vibrant Station Area. This 90-meter-high tower is named after the subtropical park at its 45-meter level. The two-story indoor park is enclosed by a glass facade that embraces the park like an undulating curtain. It serves as a unique space for employees to relax, brainstorm, or attend events while overlooking the city. By making this indoor park the building’s central feature, GROUP A has created a landmark in Utrecht’s skyline and set a new standard for green office buildings.

GROUP A prioritizes wellbeing in the office environment with this green gesture. Scientific research shows that plants positively impact physical and mental health, increasing workplace productivity and reducing stress. Located on the 11th and 12th floors, the semi-public park includes workspaces, a meeting center, and a café, offering a contrasting experience to the traditional office environment. A wooden deck path guides visitors through the park to seating areas embedded in greenery.

The green design by MOSS (Makers of Sustainable Spaces) is inspired by the flora of the Azores and features over 50 trees and shrubs, 1,500 plants, and a babbling stream. The facade’s alternating grid provides a compelling contrast to the transparent waist of the building, which floods the park with daylight. The sculptural edges at the top and bottom of the park follow the landscape’s undulations, extending from the exterior to the interior. The 12th-floor mezzanine organically unfolds around the freestanding core, offering panoramic views of the indoor park and the city.

Sustainability is a key aspect of Central Park. The 23-story building boasts a BREEAM Excellent design certificate, with flexible office floors of around 1,300 sqm each. Smart technology, including smart facades and light sensors, ensures a pleasant indoor climate and user comfort. Central Park is designed to be ‘Paris Proof’ in terms of energy consumption, aligning with the Paris climate goals of achieving energy neutrality by 2050.

The double-height ground floor of Central Park connects seamlessly to The Forum, an elevated landscaped square around Utrecht Central Station. The recessed public plinth, with an office lobby, commercial space, and café, follows the walking path in a fluid motion. Central Park’s bronze-colored facade adds warmth and elegance, complementing The Forum’s earthy palette. Strategically located in the center of the Netherlands, Central Park is well connected to Utrecht Central Station, the Central Business District, and the city center, ensuring easy accessibility.