Constructed as a government building on 30 Bezuidenhoutseweg in the centre of The Hague in 1917, B30 has been given a superb makeover a century on: the Dutch KAAN Architecten studio used clear architectural language to lend the imposing and prestigious building an appealing character and contemporary structure, without concealing its historical heritage. The building has been turned into an exceptional office environment: a bygone splendour and a modern working environment don’t compete with one another, but conjure up a new look.
A large atrium is located at the heart of the building on all storeys. Two extensions on the ground floor make the building bigger and provide plenty of space for two generous lobbies with direct access to the garden at the side. The newly designed ground floor is open to the public and comprises a restaurant, a café, library and conference and seminar spaces. Passageways are connected with one another, creating long sightlines through the building. Large skylights over the atrium and lobbies ensure a pleasantly light-flooded atmosphere and give rooms facing the inside natural light. The design by KAAN Architecten combines a historic structure with new architecture in an elegant way.
The architectural clarity and simple elegance are reflected in the furniture. The furniture also meets all requirements made of contemporary office spaces. Offices and lounges are fitted with Wilkhahn’s comfortable ON task chairs with Trimension and the Neos cantilever chairs (both ranges designed by wiege). The mobile, swivel-mounted Timetable Shift tables (design: Andreas Störiko) tap into a range of different usage options from temporary desks to tables for meetings or conferences, while the side tables from the Aline range (design: Andreas Störiko) are ideal for those brief, impromptu chats. In the large conference space ON conference chairs ensure flexible comfort and create an elegant contrast to the original wooden panelling.
B30 project film by the Facilicom Group (in Dutch):
More information on the ON task chair
More information on the Neos cantilever chair
More information on the swivel-mounted Timetable Shift
More information on the Aline table