Ministry of Social Affairs

Commissioner: VORM Ontwikkeling B.V. , BPD Ontwikkeling B.V. | Contact person: Eric Frijters, Olv Klijn & José Cocchiararo

The former Ministry of Social Affairs in The Hague, is in a crucial location due to its proximity to the train station of Den Haag Laan van NOI. Designed in the 1980’s by architect Herman Hertzberger, the massive concrete building was recently repurposed to host housing and commercial activities.

“It is unfortunate that this historically significant building faces the threat of destruction. To address this challenge, we have developed an innovative alternative design aimed at preserving the heritage while transforming the structure into a vibrant hub for public life and commercial activities.”

— Eric Frijters

The final outcome is a 3D village where apartments have outdoor space and vegetation to provide natural climate control, water retention and sound insulation. The new façade provides a new identity for the building and efficient insulation, while historical characteristics are preserved inside. The traditional high rise typology is broken into a fragmented and dynamic entity where the building cascades towards the inner courtyards and the public life.

FABRICations developed a project to revitalize the building and adapt it to the new use by giving it new identity without compromising its historical value. Strategically, critical demolitions and additions were used to transform the building into a catalyst for public life and commercial activity in order to maximize the investments and introduce outer spaces and vegetation.

Team: Lloyd Martin, Duong Bui, Luca de Stefano, Monika Novkovik