AFAS Experience Center

Leusden, Netherlands

At work

Three colleagues sit around a weathered-wood Hopper picnic table on the curved rooftop terrace of the AFAS Experience Center, with round Pantagruel tables and tall planting behind them

Located on the “Avenue of inspiration” in the Netherlands, the AFAS campus found enough inspiration to be prepared for the future. The software company didn’t fancy building another concrete shoebox office, instead it wanted to offer “more than an office”, a center for experiences: the AEC - AFAS Experience Center.

Fully furnished gardens offer a place to eat, sit, meet, relax, rest and work outdoors.

Two coworkers sit at a grey Pantagruel picnic table in a gravel garden courtyard, with the curved glass façade of the AFAS building and festoon lights overhead.

Close-up of a woman seated at a grey Pantagruel picnic table in the sunny courtyard, with the office façade and trees softly blurred behind her.

An empty grey Pantagruel picnic table sits among rust-coloured planters and ornamental grasses in the landscaped courtyard.

A weathered-wood Hopper picnic table stands on a timber terrace beside a low concrete wall, with the large mirrored globe sculpture visible in the background.

Three colleagues have lunch at a weathered-wood Hopper picnic table on the curved terrace, with Pantagruel tables and planting spread across the deck behind them

Merging functionality, durability, and esthetics

“The architectural design of the building asks for iconic furniture. For me, the Hopper picnic tables were the perfect choice. The colors of the dark wood and steel contrast beautifully with, but also support, the grey building. The Hopper tables are the finishing touch to this scene.” - Bart Hoes, landscape architect of AFAS.

Close-up from behind of two people seated on the backrest bench of a Hopper picnic table during a conversation on the terrace.

Three colleagues eat together at a weathered-wood Hopper picnic table on the sunlit rooftop terrace.

A man sits sideways at a weathered-wood Hopper bench, using the upper ledge as a work surface beneath a leafy tree.

Youthful, tough, and playful

A woman is explaining something at a colleague whose seating on a grey hopper table.

Close-up of an empty weathered-wood Hopper bench on gravel, framed by green leaves in the foreground.

There are so many benches to choose from, but I love how the Hopper benches have a double function. You can use them as a real bench or turn around and make use of the table. They have an awesome dynamic and appeal which makes them so much more than a bench.” - Bart Hoes, landscape architect of AFAS.