Training and demonstration centre

The training and demonstration centre for Hitachi hydraulic excavators is situated in an industrial estate in the dockland area Westelijk Havengebied. The building houses a number of activities, such as theoretical and practical training areas, offices, a showroom and an auditorium. A variety of materials have been employed to give each of these components its own character.

Striking elements include the tall, glazed showroom, which can accommodate even the biggest excavators, and the distinctive feature auditorium. Here, the architect has combined theatricality and voyeurism: tall windows can be blacked out for product presentations, after which the screens can be retracted to reveal the choreographed performances of the construction machinery within the site arena. (ARCAM/BU)