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Provinciehuis
The Hague, The Netherlands

Provinciehuis
The Hague, The Netherlands

Provinciehuis
The Hague, The Netherlands

Provinciehuis, the headquarters of the regional government of South Holland, lies just outside the historic core of the city on a prominent corner site at the Zuid-Hollandlaan and Konigskade junction overlooking the renowned Malieveld Park.

The commission was won through an international competition involving twenty-five contenders. Our redevelopment strategy redressed the legacy of the post-war era. The original Provincieuhius was a distinguished 1960s building, but later extensions were less successful. We retained what was worthwhile, removed a failed 1970s block, and added new construction drawing inspiration from the Amsterdam school tradition of fusing tradition and modernity. Of our design solution for Provinciehuis World Architecture proclaimed: “In creating both a landmark and a new urban public space, [the architect] has made something unique out of an unexceptional brief”.

A bold and sinuous new 24,000sqm building addresses the prominent road junction and forms a protective wall to a new civic square which lies behind. A prominent cantilevered corner gives the project a strong urban presence. The multiple curves of the building’s form increase the office space while adhering to the client’s requirement for a shallow plan. The resultant narrow floorplates allows ample natural light into the offices.

The design recreates, as a central courtyard garden, a lost and much loved Zoo garden, which formerly stood on the site. Known as the Zuid-Hollandplein, this space invites the public in at three corners, emphasising the civic focus and openness of the Provinciehuis. A new ground floor restaurant that opens onto the plaza. A wall of cascading water along the northern perimeter provides a buffer zone against the traffic noise and serves as a unifying element to the existing building and its extension.

A project of
Kohn Pedersen Fox (International) PA
in which the following people at PLP Architecture were involved: Lee Polisano was partner-in-charge; David Leventhal, design partner; Ron Bakker, project architect.

Client
The Province of South Holland

Associate Architect
LIAG Architekten en bouwadviseurs

Facility
Mixed-use Headquarters: Offices, Conference Rooms, Cafeteria, Gym

Size
24,000sqm New Building
20,000sqm Renovation

Status
Completed

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