Eurojust in the Hague, Holland Building, International Legal Offices, Dutch Architecture Images

Eurojust in the Hague

International Legal Offices Building in The Netherlands – design by Mecanoo, architects

23 Nov 2017

Eurojust, Den Haag

Architects: Mecanoo

Location: The Hague, Holland

Eurojust

International Zone
Eurojust is the EU-judicial cooperation unit dealing with cross-border crime. The new headquarters for Eurojust in the International Zone of The Hague were developed together with the Central Government Real Estate Agency, the Ministry of Justice and Security and the municipality. The twelve-storey building has more than four hundred workplaces and accommodates the national representatives of the EU Member States and three non-EU countries, supported by an administrative department.

The site on the Johan de Wittlaan creates an extension of the International Zone, placing Eurojust in close proximity to organisations such as OPCW, the World Forum Convention Center and Europol. The site is adjacent to Zorgvliet Park and a residential area. The complexity of the location and the stringent security measures required a carefully integrated design solution.

Dune landscape
As a result, Eurojust is linked to the International Zone by an undulating dune landscape with grassy vegetation and wild flowers. By ingeniously incorporating the security requirements within the landscape design, the building has been given an open character.

The positioning of the two-floor convention centre underground helps to keep the building at a modest scale in relation to its context. The landscape pulls away from the building along the conference lobby area to reveal a lush water wall and bring daylight into the building’s lowest levels.

Classic beauty
The building is an elegant composition of two volumes: the high-rise tower facing the Johan de Wittlaan and the low-rise plinth on the park side. The rhythm of pure white composite facade elements gives the building a timeless, classic beauty. The windows are subtly tilted either horizontally or vertically, thereby reflecting both the sky and the surrounding landscape.

Interior
Inside, visitors are welcomed into a spacious, double height lobby. From the lobby, there is a gradual transition from open spaces to more private areas. A wide staircase, overlooking the dune landscape, descends to the conference centre. The higher levels feature a contemporary office environment that encourages cooperation. Due to the efficient positioning of different security zones, the security features have a minimal impact on the architecture. The carefully detailed interior is characterised by an abundance of daylight, the use of a rich variety of natural materials, delicate motifs and soft colours. Graphic patterns on the glazed meeting room partitions allow daylight to pass through and create visual connections, while safeguarding privacy.

Eurojust, the Hague – Building Information

Programme: BREEAM-NL Very good certified office building with conference facilities, totalling 18,500 m2; underground parking for 272 cars; landscape design and public realm

Architects: Mecanoo
Client: Central Government Real Estate Agency, The Hague, the Netherlands
Design: 2011-14
Realisation: 2014-17
Design team: Mecanoo architecten, Delft and Royal HaskoningDHV, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Landscape architect: DS landschapsarchitecten, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Main contractor: Heijmans, Rosmalen, the Netherlands

Eurojust in the Hague images / information received 231117

Eurojust, Den Haag

Mecanoo

Location: The Hague – Den Haag, Netherlands

Den Haag Buildings

Den Haag Architecture Designs – chronological list

ZIP2516, The Binckhorst
Design: Studio Komma / The Men of Foam

image © images Studio Komma / The Men of Foam
ZIP2516, Binckhorstlaan, Den Haag

MVSA Architects wins design bid for NCIA
Design: MVSA Architects

image © MVSA Architects
NATO Communications and Information Agency Den Haag

Lightrailstation Den Haag
Design: Architekturbüro ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects / Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering

exterior image: Pietro Savorellit
Lightrailstation Den Haag

Voorlinden Museum Building, Wassenaar, province of South Holland
Design: Kraaijvanger Architects with Arup

exterior image: Pietro Savorellit
Voorlinden Museum Building