ZIP2516 Binckhorstlaan, Den Haag Building, Dutch Urban Renewal Project, Kavel 2 Urban Lab Challenge
ZIP2516, Binckhorstlaan
Architecture Development in The Hague, Netherlands – design by Studio Komma Architects
17 Apr 2017
ZIP2516, The Binckhorst, The Hague
Studio Komma wins competition with circular eye-catcher that re-uses an old parking garage
Design: Studio Komma / The Men of Foam
The Dutch architectural firm Studio Komma, in close collaboration with concept-developer The Men of Foam, is the winner of the ‘’Kavel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge’’ in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The winning proposal, titled “ZIP2516”, seeks to create an iconic building that is an accelerator for the transformation of an industrial area into a new energetic urban district. It combines multiple functions within a building that is fully re-mountable and re-uses an old parking garage.
A challenging mix of functions
The project is to be located on The Binckhorst, an introverted industrial area very close to The Hague that is currently transforming into a living and working district. ZIP2516 is a concept where social and commercial entrepreneurship will meet, and is combined with a multifunctional public space.
The ground floor of the building accommodates the flagship store of a social entrepreneur, Happy Tosti. On the first floor is a public square, the ‘urban play ground’, covered by two floors of office space for start-ups. On top, the program is completed by a special ginbar with roof terrace.
In the design, the program is stacked and projected on the plot, and is partially lifted to make room for the public square. Next, the ground floor is modified in such a way that it creates a welcoming gesture to its users and visitors. With this iconic building, the team wants to add both economically and socially value to the area, and become a genuine accelerator for the transformation of the area.
A circular building as a Lego-package
The competition brief calls for a building that can activate the location for 10 years, after which it is decided whether the building remains permanently. This requirement challenges to think about temporary structures that have a permanent high quality.
The team decided to make a building on the principle of a Lego-package. Smart structural joints ensure that the building can be dismantled at an elementary level. After ten years, if needed, the whole building can be moved and re-mounted at a new location to boost the urban and/or regional economy. A circular construction principle based on value preservation, and adaptable to future developments.
Urban mining: an old parking garage re-used
ZIP2516 is carefully designed so that an old parking garage can be reused almost completely. By making clever use of the donor building, the components (floors, beams, railings) can be reused in different ways for the realization of the ground floor and the urban playground. Following the Lego principle, the donor parts are also made removable, and can move to the next location.
The jury has assessed the proposal as “a plan with guts” and as a real eyecatcher focusing on the future users of the area. City Counsel Member Revis: “It’s a good innovative concept that fits the developments Binckhorst and is an asset to the area around the Binckhorst Harbor. The area will be further refurbished in the near future, and developed more and more into an area to work, live and recreate.”
About Studio Komma
Studio Komma is a young dutch architectural office, based in The Hague. It was founded in 2014 by Maarten Thewissen (1986, Netherlands) and Joost van Rooijen (1987, Netherlands) after winning the Europan competition for young architects.
The office works on various assignments ranging from urban planning to architectural projects from various scale levels. From the start Studio Komma participated successful in competitions, such as those for a master plan for Schiedam (2014, first prize), a villa in Ambyerveld Maastricht (2015, second prize), care homes in Horst (2016, second prize) and a start-up accelerator in The Hague (2017, first prize).
ZIP2516, Binckhorst, Den Haag – Building Information
Client: Municipality of The Hague
Location: The Hague, the Netherlands
Start Design: 2016
Completion: 2018 (expected)
Status: preliminary design
Size: 3000m2
Architect: Studio Komma
Team: Maarten Thewissen, Joost van Rooijen
Concept Developer: The Men of Foam
Structural Engineer: IMd Raadgevend Ingenieurs
Installation Engineer: Galjema Technisch Adviesbureau
Cost Consultant: IGG Bouweconomie
Urban Mining Consultant: New Horizon
Copyright images Studio Komma / The Men of Foam
ZIP2516, Binckhorst, Den Haag images / information from Studio Komma / The Men of Foam
Location: Binckhorst, Den Haag, The Netherlands
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Website: The Hague