Segbroek
The 'Wittebruglocatie' is part of an exceptional formed block in the district Valkenboskwartier. The plot is situated near the intersection of one of the important junctions in the neighbourhood, where the Fahrenheitstraat, the Weimarstraat and the Valkenboslaan interconnect. The Valkenboslaan is part of the main road structure of The Hague. The Weimarstraat has been known to be the leading shopping street in this area, but is facing a process of decline. In the Weimarstraat three new shopping centres were being developed at the time.
Our plan was one of those centres. The attractiveness of this plan has had a revitalizing effect on this part of the district. The complexity of our task was to solve a 3-dimensional puzzle. The program provides in an underground parking garage, a supermarket, district office, library, police station and 15 houses. Each client demanded specific position, orientation and relation to the rest, while the layering of different functions asked for efficient construction and technical solutions. Our final design consists of a compact urban building that is integrated into the existing block.
A characteristic corner tower manifests itself as a local landmark and serves as an orientation point in the area. Building height and materials (dominant dark brickwork with texture nuances) and the rhythmic plasticity of the façade refer to the immediate surroundings of the 19th century residential neighbourhood.
Location of public entrances is based on the urban scheme: supermarket on the corner makes connection to the shopping street; shared municipality and police offices entrance is placed at the most exposed street façade; and library has it’s own characteristic entrance ‘pavilion’ between the closed city block and the existing context. Service functions like entrance to the parking garage and supplies’ delivery to the supermarket are integrated in the building mass.
Interior of the building is characterized by patio composition of the volumes, permitting daylight into all working spaces, library and parking garage. The entrance and waiting area of the offices enjoys a three-stores high light space with integrated furniture design, creating a representative public room in the neighbourhood.
15 houses divided in three blocks of 5 surround a traffic-free residential courtyard, situated on the roof of the parking garage. Light materials like off-white brickwork, big glass openings and concrete frames characterize this contemporary residential oasis in the area.
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