'cultuurforum spui', the new dance and music center by neutelings riedijk architects and kirkegaard associates
in the hague, the netherlands
all images courtesy of neutelings riedijk architects


neutelings riedijk architects in collaboration with kirkegaard associates have been selected
as one of the three finalists for the 'cultuurforum spui' in the hague, the netherlands. the new dance
and music center on the spuiplein will be home to the royal conservatory, the hague philharmonic,
dutch dance theatre and the stichting foundation.

the proposal aims for a compact construction with a low volume. by building low, the center
establishes a more intimate relationship with the urban square while maximizing on natural
daylight intake, especially during the morning. in the afternoon, the sloping facades bounce
the light back to the square and on to the terrace, creating a comfortable microclimate for
the surrounding area. the design also pulls up the interior halls and auditoriums to create spaces
around the edge of the building for street level shops and restaurants.

the programs are arranged in a clear format: the 'front-of-house' at the entrance end of the building,
and the 'back-of-house' for production and performance facilities. the new center pulls the urban
life of the square into the building and onto the rooftop with a system of vertically stacked 'public squares'.
this atrium space holds the lobby, bars, VIP rooms and educational institutions which are connected
and navigated through an escalator route. at the roof level, the panoramic dome offers views of
the hague's downtown.

chicago-based kirkegaard associates designed the acoustics of the four major performance halls.
suspended in the heart of the building, all rooms are double-hulled to ensure complete
acoustic separation.



a model of the new center



approach



street view






atrium space



auditorium



under the dome



model



site model



sectional model
(yellow) front of house, (red) back of house



site plan



site section



floor plan, ground level



floor plan, +6 m



section through the atrium



section through halls



section through auditoriums



lateral section



elevation



elevation