- Office
- Public
- Interior
- Restoration
- Sustainability
The Senate of the States General has been seated in the northwest corner of the Binnenhof for more than a century and a half, and is the cradle of Dutch democracy. The renovation of the Senate requires smart, functional interventions with respect for history, tradition and monumentality, in combination with careful integration of technology and sustainable materials.
By restoring the historic structure and emphasizing the multitude of architectural styles and period rooms, the unique history becomes visible again. The Senate functions according to fixed procedures and patterns that are reflected in a functional series of rooms: the plenary hall, the central hall, committee rooms and faction rooms. This will be retained during the renovation of the building.
- Design: 2022
- Client: Rijksvastgoedbedrijf
- Location: Den Haag
Impression Plenary hall, Besognekamer and souterrain
The fact that it has been expanded and renovated for centuries without major changes to the complex structure makes this government center typically Dutch. The adage “sober, efficient – and smart”, which applies to the current renovation task, fits in seamlessly with this.
Every year, 175,000 visitors will be able to visit the Senate and experience both the historical layers and the functioning of our democracy. The renovated Senate complex will be largely fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The spatial structure of the five building parts – Hofkapel, Nieuwenhuis wing, Staten van Holland, Mauritstoren and Stadhouderlijk Kwartier – will be strengthened. Period rooms and representative spaces are restored to their original architecture, with the integration of contemporary technology. Contemporary designed spaces are incorporated into the ensemble: the public route, two new large committee rooms, modern office and facility spaces on the ground floor and in the basement.
Cross section Mary Stuart kabinet, sketch design
View through the public stairwell and balcony of the large committee room
Sustainability has been introduced into the design through the use of insulation, rear windows, sun blinds, efficient air treatment, circular and biobased use of materials, among other things. Naturally within the framework of monumental values, security, fire safety and integral accessibility. Sustainability is also the starting point in the interior design, with as many reused and biobased materials as possible, in keeping with the monument and with an eye for the stature of the location.
With the integration of all technology, many interior finishes need to be restored. Various zones are distinguished in the building, each requiring its own approach. The 25 period rooms require their own unique approach, and a new time layer is added in other zones. The current era must visually blend with the old materials and color palette.
