World-renowned Dutch architecture practice Mecanoo has completed the new Eurojust Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, which was developed in collaboration with RoyalHaskoningDHV and landscape architects DS. The project, located in a semi-submerged, an undulating dune landscape of The Hague, consist of offices and a conference centre, which are scattered throughout the program of the building with a glassy and classical envelope. 

"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," said Mecanoo.

"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," said the architects.

The studio links Eurojust 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.

Designed as classical 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 architects create 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.

In the interior, 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.

Mecanoo recently unveiled the first images for the renovation of the New York Public Library - the firm is closely working with the local firm Beyer Blinder Belle on this project. Mecanoo and Beyer Blinder Belle are also leading the renovation of Mid-Manhattan Library, the Library's largest circulating branch, located across Fifth Avenue.

The studio also released its winning proposal for Shenzhen North Station, featuring 12 staggering skyscrapers. Mecanoo was also selected to renovate the Perth City Hall in UK. 

Project facts

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

Client: Central Government Real Estate Agency, The Hague, the Netherlands 

Design: 2011-2014

Realisation: 2014-2017 

Design team: Mecanoo architecten, Delft and Royal HaskoningDHV, Rotterdam, the Netherlands 

Landscape architect: DS landschapsarchitecten, Amsterdam, the Netherlands 

Main contractor: Heijmans, Rosmalen, the Netherlands

All images © Mecanoo

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