How can quality architecture stimulate a social living environment?
De Beresteinlaan
In the coming years, the renewal of The Hague’s Zuidwest district will receive a boost from a variety of housing projects. The De Beresteinlaan apartment building will replace the old walk-up apartments in De Venen. Connection, contact and affordability are at the heart of this residential project, designed by De Zwarte Hond. With its three clear volumes, De Beresteinlaan fits harmoniously into the structure of the neighbourhood. The building is connected to its surroundings by accentuated and inviting main entrances that connect to the bridge and pedestrian paths. Open, spacious plinths with green front gardens on the streets match the green character of the neighbourhood. The design encourages people to come together by creating places to meet, such as a communal courtyard and a communal living room. Attention is also paid to light, air and greenery, and each house has a good outdoor space with a view of the surroundings. Nature-inclusive building was central, with explicit attention to biodiversity in both design and execution. De Beresteinlaan has a solidly built appearance and is future proof through the use of honest materials such as brickwork and concrete. These materials have been carefully chosen for their long lifespan. With its familiar appearance, inviting entrances and special communal spaces, De Beresteinlaan is a building that its residents can be proud of: a contemporary building with the recognisable qualities of post-war architecture.
data
- Location
- Den Haag, NL
- Size
- 14.650 m²
- Client
- Wijkontwikkelingsmaatschappij Den Haag Zuidwest (WOM DHZW)
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Housing, Housing Associations
- Period
- 2023-2026
- Status
- In Development
- Partners
- Dura Vermeer
The Hague
De Beer
© Haags Gemeentearchief, Dienst voor de Stadsontwikkeling
Existing situation
The regeneration of The Hague’s Zuidwest district will receive a boost in the coming years from a variety of housing projects. The start of this innovation can be found in De Venen, a neighbourhood in The Hague Zuidwest. Here, the old walk-up apartments will be replaced by the new De Beresteinlaan residential building. This housing project is all about connection, meeting and affordability.
The residents of the De Venen neighbourhood are diverse, and the houses are designed to ensure that everyone can live comfortably. With its rich architecture, alignment with the green character of the area and links to its surroundings, De Beresteinlaan sets the bar high for further development in the area.
A social building where neighbours meet
True social living is possible in De Beresteinlaan, although this is not easy to achieve. With this building, we are bringing people together through places that invite people to meet, such as communal courtyards or a shared living room. We also connect De Beresteinlaan to its surroundings by designing striking and inviting main entrances that connect to the nearby cycle and pedestrian paths.
With its three clear volumes, De Beresteinlaan blends harmoniously into the fabric of the neighbourhood. The project forms a well-considered ensemble with subtle nuances that give each house its own identity. There is also an emphasis on qualities such as light, air and greenery. For example, each home has a good outdoor space with views of the surrounding area. The open, spacious plinths of the buildings are enhanced by the placement of green front gardens along the streets, in keeping with the green character of the neighbourhood. The houses are oriented towards the special green qualities of De Venen, with views of the canal and trees.
De Beresteinlaan has a solidly built appearance and is future-proof thanks to the use of solid materials such as brickwork and concrete. These materials have been carefully selected with a view to longevity. Low maintenance costs have been considered in the choice of materials and details for the façades, the houses and the communal areas equally.
De Beresteinlaan’s architecture responds to different levels of scale. From a distance, it forms a volume that blends into the neighbourhood. Closer up, the deep setbacks and sculptural quality become visible. Closer still, you can see the craftsmanship in the details and the careful choice of materials, giving the building an attractive tactility. De Beresteinlaan is a contemporary building with the distinctive qualities of post-war architecture.
A carefully designed and sustainable residential ensemble
De Beresteinlaan is spatially and socially connected to De Venen. By intelligently linking to slow-traffic routes and creating thoughtful transitions from private to public spaces, a harmonious relationship between the building and its surroundings is established. Strong emphasis is placed on sustainability and climate adaptation, with both collective and private greenery, as well as a shared garden that offers space for cooling and social interaction.
Nature-inclusive construction was a key principle. Biodiversity was explicitly considered in both design and execution, incorporating nesting boxes, insect habitats, and native planting. Green roofs have been installed on bicycle storage areas and higher rooftops.
De Beresteinlaan has been carefully designed with attention to both architectural quality and the collective interest. Its distinctive character, welcoming entrances, and special shared spaces make it a building residents can be proud of. It forms a residential ensemble where people not only know their neighbors, but truly live together.
