'The cultural green heart', The Hague

The new dance and music is designed from the experience of visitors and users, where the communal level through a grand entrance turns into a unique 'second world' within the building.

The building consists of two parts: 'the green heart', where all rooms are compact and ingeniously piled up, using geothermal energy, water, and vegetation to take care of the climate in the building, and 'the ring', a transparent volume where the conservatory is situated. The latter activates the building, outside as well as inside, by visual 'mini' performances by students.

The volume of the ring is perforated by the foyers of the various rooms, so that they all get a view of the city and keep their own identity within the building. The foyers are, along with the restaurant and library, accessed by a playful collection of escalators located in the vibrant atrium between the two volumes. This way visitors to the new dance- and music centre will have a unique experience, enriched by a surprising new discovery within the building at every visit.