De Beer

Den Haag, NL

How can quality architecture stimulate a social living environment?

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 on the Beresteinlaan will be replaced by the new De Beer 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 Beer sets the bar high for further development in the area.

A social building where neighbours meet
True social living is possible in De Beer, 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 Beer 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 Beer 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 Beer 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 Beer’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 Beer is a contemporary building with the distinctive qualities of post-war architecture.

A meticulous building for the collective
De Beer is spatially and socially linked to De Venen. Through clever connections to slow traffic routes and meticulous transitions from private to public, we create a harmonious connection between the building and its surroundings. There is also a strong focus on sustainability and climate adaptation, with collective and private green spaces and a communal garden as a place to cool off and meet. In this way, De Beer becomes a residential ensemble where you not only know your neighbours, but also live with them.

De Beer has been designed with care, taking into account both architectural aspects and community interest. With its distinctive appearance, inviting entrances and special communal spaces, De Beer is a building that residents can be proud of.

De Beer

In the coming years, the renewal of The Hague’s Zuidwest district will receive a boost from a variety of housing projects. The De Beer apartment building will replace the old walk-up apartments on the Beresteinlaan in De Venen. Connection, contact and affordability are at the heart of this residential project.

With its three clear volumes, De Beer 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.

De Beer 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 Beer 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
Corporaties, Residential
Period
2023-2025
Status
Development Phase
Partners
Dura Vermeer
themes