This open letter was written by MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas, in response to a September 19th article in Dutch newspaper NRC about the bankruptcy of Certitudo Capital, MVRDV's client for the transformation of the Centraal Beheer building. It is presented here translated to English, after the newspaper declined to publish it.

For an architect, it is always painful to see a building deteriorate, especially when that building was designed by someone I consider one of my most important mentors: Herman Hertzberger. The Central Beheer building in Apeldoorn is a world-renowned design from his portfolio and an exemplary concept among architects worldwide. Since its opening in 1972, this building represented a revolution in the thinking about office landscapes. With its repeating spatial patterns, the building is a prime example of structuralism and has served as study material for architects worldwide.

It was a particularly honourable task to receive the assignment for the transformation of this building, which has been vacant for ten years. Contrary to what Sjoerd Klumpenaar claimed in his NRC article on September 19th regarding Certitudo's bankruptcy, this is not an impossible transformation. The project is unfortunately on hold due to bankruptcy, not because of the complexity of the transformation. MVRDV has successfully revitalised “challenging” buildings before, often with unexpected adaptations. The advantages of reuse are clear; it saves concrete and thus reduces CO2 emissions. By simultaneously revitalising the entire neighbourhood and adding greenery, this central piece of Apeldoorn, which was previously neglected, can become a flourishing residential area in a relatively short time.

We joined the Centraal Beheer project after several previous options proved unsuccessful. In 2022, we presented our area vision to local residents and the municipality, receiving enthusiastic responses from heritage organisations and Apeldoorn's residents alike. Herman Hertzberger himself was closely involved in this design process. We regularly visited him in Amsterdam to validate our plans and receive feedback. I do not recognise the “disagreement over the design” mentioned in the NRC article.

It would be wonderful if another party took over this project, whether private or public. In the proposed vision, heritage preservation goes hand in hand with greening and innovation. The Central Beheer building will become the literal centrepiece of the new development, with 650 to 800 new homes. This will not only be a place to live but also a building where the distinctive central street running through its axis opens up to the city. We will transform the formerly closed office building into a meeting place for all Apeldoorn residents.

As an architect, I see an incredibly beautiful structure in the “Monkey Rock” that can serve as an excellent foundation for future apartments. Our plan is an expansion of Hertzberger’s vision. His concept of spatiality takes on a new meaning with our design: the interior streets are extended, and with limited modifications such as making some openings in the roof, sunlight can once again flood the building. By incorporating the Pakhoedtowers into the transformation, a vibrant neighbourhood is created that truly adds something to Apeldoorn and could even become the city’s calling card.

In these times of reconsideration of structuralist heritage and concerns about climate, CO2 emissions, and housing shortages, I cannot imagine this project not moving forward. This is not only in the interest of architectural history but of everyone, especially those in search of housing and, most importantly, for all Apeldoorn residents who have been forced to watch an iconic building deteriorate for over a decade.