![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-01.jpg)
Fort Cortina by Karelse & den Besten
Clay bricks infused with metal shavings make up the orthogonal exterior of an office and warehouse in Amsterdam designed by a graphic design agency.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-03.jpg)
Rotterdam studio Karelse & den Besten, who usually design brochures and logos, completed for the headquarters for gift retailer Cortina alongside a construction management team from TPAHG architecten.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-04.jpg)
The wharf building named Fort Cortina is located on the site of a former shipyard and was modelled on traditional Moroccan forts.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-02.jpg)
Behind the brick exterior, three floors of offices and stockrooms surround a cedar-lined courtyard at the building’s centre.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-17.jpg)
Staggered floor plates create balconies overlooking this courtyard, while additional terraces can be found on the building’s sedum room.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-06.jpg)
A few other large buildings with brick exteriors have recently been featured on Dezeen - see our earlier stories about a community centre in Hungary punctured by square windows and apartment blocks in Prague with herringbone patterned facades.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-07.jpg)
Photography is by Sjaak Henselmans, Marcel van der Burg and Jan Derwig.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-08.jpg)
The following details are from the architects:
Fort Cortina
As a graphic design agency we already had a long cooperation with Cortina, a wholesale in gift items, before they asked us to design their new headquarters. It was our first architectural assignment.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-09.jpg)
Fort Cortina is built on the premises of the NDSM-wharf, a former shipyard located on the banks of the river IJ in Amsterdam.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-11.jpg)
In this harsh environment we designed an office and warehouse building that looks like a Morrocan fort.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-12.jpg)
A monolithic structure, rough on the outside with metallized brick walls and smooth on the inside patios that are lined with cedar wood.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-10.jpg)
The dynamic lay-out of the facades is a reflection of the different rooms that vary in height and size. A result of our intention to make an exciting interior with small and big views over the river. Rooms to hide and rooms to expose.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-13.gif)
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A commercial building that almost fits like a home. The patios at the hearth of the building are inspired on a monastery tour.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-14.gif)
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A space for reflection and a way to give light to the interior and to create outdoor recreation areas with footpaths on the roof, which is planted with sedum for an optimal indoor climate control.
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-15.gif)
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Architects: Karelse & den Besten, Rotterdam
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project year: 2008
Project area: 1000 sqm
![Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten Fort Cortina by Karelse and den Besten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/10/dezeen_Fort-Cortina-by-Karelse-and-den-Besten-16.gif)
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Cliënt: Cortina, Amsterdam
Project management: TPAGH architecten, Hoorn
Contractor: Klies & Jozef Bouw, Volendam