The National Theatre

The housing of the National Theatre in The Hague required renovated and adaptation because of overdue maintenance work and lack of space. The new development replaces the existing plots 6 and 8 and is an intense puzzle. The building has 2 bridging constructions: the rehearsal room on the side of the Schouwburgstraat and the office that protrudes in the direction of the ‘Koninklijke Schouwburg’ (Royal Theatre) across the loading and unloading quay. The main entrance is located under the glass stairwell, with direct access form the Schouwburgstraat, which forms the visual counter balance for the horizontal concrete Ministry of Finance. The structure of the building is compact with space and in-between space. The challenge here was to design this spatial puzzle to literally and figuratively create room and an aura towards the street. Opposite the horizontal mass housing the Ministry of Finance the light radiating glass tower will stand as a beacon.