Government office Universe The Hague

cepezed designs the renovation design for Universe, a large office building on the Binckhorst in The Hague. This U-shaped building from 1998 folds around an inner garden and will serve as a lively government office. Our ambitious vision for this project, which relies heavily on reuse, will be the perfect example of circular transformation.

client(s)
rijksvastgoedbedrijf

location
den haag

user(s)
rijksoverheid

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expertise
cepezed interior

sightlines & pivot points

At first glance, Universe is a rather compelling building, with many corners and height differences. In the revitalisation, we focus instead on the qualities of the existing building; the Long sightlines, as well as the semicircular, high space on the courtyard garden. This space functions as a pivot point, by providing clear access to the other building parts and also lends itself well to a restaurant. With the same idea, the office floors in the building wings are given smaller pivot points. We introduce a handy adaptation handbook for these floors, so that future users can easily anticipate changing workplace concepts and trends.

circular

We opt for minimal interventions, which have maximum results due to their precision by creating an additional sightline, for example. The material released from these precision breakthroughs is used elsewhere in the building. The building envelope is also preserved in a targeted way. And as with the breakthroughs, elements to be removed are reused. Facade glazing that has to be replaced, for instance, is used in new, bio-based interior wall systems. Our ambition is to achieve zero waste of existing materials.

greenery

With a focus on a healthy working environment, daylight and greenery are important aspects of Universe's new interior. Lush plants and trees in the garden and in the adjoining interior space will soon provide a visual unity. They mark the daylight-rich, double-height restaurant space as the heart of the government office. Plants have also been used subtly on the ground floor to show the way, such as the route from the entrance to the courtyard garden. And they are placed so as to accentuate spots where routes cross. The enclosed patio is cleared of installations and transformed into a pleasant outdoor space with benches and lots of plants.

energy-conscious

Rijksvastgoedbedrijf is an ambitious client and goes a step further with Universe. Together, we want this project to lead the way in Paris Proof building. The extra ambition, besides the circular use of materials, has to do with the issue of grid congestion: Universe is allowed to return a maximum of 20 per cent energy to the grid in one year's time. The design and new installations therefore aim to reduce energy demand and generate and retain energy itself. Energy-efficient lighting, demand-driven air treatment and improved building physics performance are just some of the components that make for a highly energy-efficient office building.

partners

construction company: JP van Eesteren
green advisor: Moss
building contractor: The New Makers
interior design: cepezedinterieur
building re-innovator: Respace
installation engineering and consultant: Nelissen ingenieursbureau
installation technique: A. de Jong
construction advisor: Swinn
dismantling: Adex group
security advisor: Smits vvv

contact
→ Mail bd@cepezed.nl or call our business development team on +31 (0)15 2150000

Government office Universe The Hague