Making the world a better place, together

The iconic Amsterdam office building ‘De Olifant’ has recently undergone a radical facelift. Renamed ‘The Sharing Tower’, it represents the new sharing economy in every respect – and the ClickBrick drywall system is a major part of this.

Old becomes new

A new name for a new life – the Amsterdam office building ‘De Olifant’ was given an opportunity to start over. The purpose of the project was to renovate an outdated 90s office block, and bring it up to date to suit contemporary lifestyles and working habits. The new name, ‘The Sharing Tower’, perfectly describes a building that is all about sharing and collaboration, and which has been designed to support the development of innovative ideas and new initiatives.

A façade that reflects the concept

‘The character of ClickBrick bricks, and the fact that they can be reused, makes them perfect in this context’, says architect Oresti Sarafopoulos, who loves robust materials that age naturally. Flexibility is a key element in his designs; the buildings are designed to be adapted and extended.

The environmentally friendly dry stacking ClickBrick system was perfect for the curved façade. Not only do the bricks have functionalities that are appropriate for the refurbishment project, but they are also cost-effective. ‘It’s difficult to place massive, solid stone on the façade of an existing building. It’s simply too much for the construction team. So, we explored various options of prefabricated façade systems. In the end, we chose ClickBrick’, says Sarafopoulos.

„It’s difficult to place massive, solid stone on the façade of an existing building. It’s simply too much for the construction team. So, we explored various options of prefabricated façade systems. In the end, we chose ClickBrick.“ - Oresti Sarafopoulos

Quick and reusable

Sustainability was another decisive factor when it came to choosing ClickBrick. The individual bricks are fixed to the ground, and one another, using steel clips and wall ties. Since the joints do not have to be mortared, there is no efflorescence or staining of the finished brickwork and the system is completely recyclable. ‘There’s also no need for lots of scaffolding and these fusion bricks quickly make the building wind- and waterproof’, explains the architect.

Visually, colour and the tactile nature of the individual elements of the façade create a sense that the masonry radiates warmth, and also result in an imposing, modern façade. A combination of special aesthetics and functionality.