Brightly lit meeting place in protected
ministerial building
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature – The HagueIn the middle of the historic protected building occupied by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth in The Hague, Netherlands, there is now a surprisingly brightly lit and open meeting place. The existing Orangery, along with the Friedhoff Pavilion, has been transformed into an atmospheric place where employees enjoy gathering. Studio PROTOTYPE and ZENBER Architects were responsible for the design of the project, which was commissioned by Rijksvastgoedbedrijf, the central government real estate agency in the Netherlands.
Old pavilion
new function
The Orangery is a later addition to the building and encloses the Friedhoff Pavilion - the former officers' restaurant, named after architect Gijs Friedhoff, who designed the original ministerial building in 1956. The original pavilion has been conserved and redesigned. Offering seating for up to 180 people, it has become the heart of the Orangery - a pleasant place to have lunch, meet or catch up.
New appearance
with wooden slats
The wooden slats we installed on the outer facade of the pavilion have given it a fresh new look. That theme continues inside in the wooden paneling, giving the overall design rhythm and cohesion. We also built the raised stages, the horseshoe-shaped bench feature and the fixed canopies. Although the canopies cannot be closed, they clearly delineate the seating areas. If you prefer to sit outside the pavilion, the terrazzo bench seats are a nice spot. Installing them was a precise and demanding task, due to their weight.
Space that surprises
The new interior is used intensively on a daily basis. Employees sit down together for lunch or a brief consultation. The space is a perfect match for daily use, with a mix of seating areas and consultation corners. It is generously proportioned, brightly lit and feels inviting.
