Supreme Court of the Netherlands
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands is located on a distinguished site in the centre of The Hague, on the Korte Voorhout and next to Malieveld Park. The avenue and its line of trees are the city's main promenade and, as such, the building broaches a dialogue with the street through its open façade and subtle vibrancy.
The innate duality of a court of law – being open and transparent, yet safe and secure – is expressed in the architectural design of the Supreme Court. The brief stipulated different types of users, multiple complex logistical flows, high security levels, and an extensive spatial programme. The functional requirements therefore divided the volume into three horizontal layers: the plinth with public areas, facility services above this, and the secured private working areas at the top.
The building is firmly grounded on a stone base topped with a crystalline superstructure. The main entrance is fronted by six bronze statues and has a single pane of glass to ease the transition from the street to the interior. Double height ceilings span the entire length of the building, pulling this space into the public area of the entrance hall and adjacent courtrooms. The upper floors accommodate offices, a library with study units, a restaurant, and council and meeting chambers. Open atriums on each floor feature seating and reading areas. The light, the sightlines throughout the space, and the open perspectives inspire social interaction and subsequent debate and learning.
Info
- Location
- The Hague, NL
- Date
- 2011–2016
- Size
- 18,000 sqm
- Client
- Rijksvastgoedbedrijf
- Team
- Allard Assies, Ana Rivero Esteban, Bas Barendse, Christophe Banderier, Cristina Gonzalo Cuairán, Dennis Bruijn, Dikkie Scipio, Giuseppe Mazzaglia, Jan Teunis ten Kate, Joeri Spijkers, Joost Harteveld, Kees Kaan, Koen van Tienen, Luca Baialardo, Luuk Dietz, Marco Lanna, Marlon Jonkers, Marten Dashorst, Michael Geensen, Michiel van der Horst, Moritz Kühl, Noëmi Vos, Paolo Faleschini, Raluca Firicel, Sebastian van Damme, Timo Cardol, Vincent Panhuysen, Walter Hoogerwerf, Willemijn van Donselaar
- Photography
- Fernando Guerra | FG+SG, Sebastian van Damme
- General contractor
- Consortium Poort van Den Haag (BAM PPP, PGGM, BAM Bouw en Techniek, ISS Nederland and KAAN Architecten)
- Structural and mechanical engineer
- ARUP
- Electrical engineer
- BAM
- Fire safety and acoustics engineer
- DGMR
- Site supervisor
- KAAN Architecten, BAM
