Peace Palace Visitor Centre
Back to Projects list- Location
- Den Haag, Netherlands
- Year
- 2012
The ‘L’ shaped footprint of the Visitor Centre is primarily accommodated in the narrow inclined space between the entrance wall of the Carnegie Plein and the southern tree boundary of the Park. It is separated from the wall by an entrance terrace. This location substantially conceals it from the primary view of the Peace Palace with its presence gently signalled by the curved roof form viewed through the ornamental gates and railings.
The building contains three primary functions: a security check for officials, visitors and vehicles entering and leaving the Plein; an exhibition gallery explaining the Peace Palace history and activities; and an assembly point and souvenir shop for tourist groups. These functions are arranged side by side, facing towards the Palace. Gallery exhibits are displayed along a shallow ramp leading around a central exhibition wall from the entrance foyer to the raised observation area that provides commanding views of the Palace and gardens.
The ramped incline is generated by the difference in level between the entrance gates and southern service road. It also covers a sub-basement area containing toilets, lockers, storage and mechanical equipment spaces.
The building form and fenestration is focused towards the Palace, with transparent entrance areas to allow views through from both sides and provide an enticing hint to visitors of the activities contained within it. The gallery is more enclosed to provide optimum conditions for exhibition design and audio-visual presentation.
The soft curved titanium roof has a modulated profile to enclose and unify the variety of spaces it contains and to emphasise its focus to the Peace Palace. The open, west façade also clearly indicates the exit route for officials and visitors from the Carnegie Plein. The roof embraces the brick base that matches the historic entrance wall. Terrace areas around the building also echo the traditional paving materials and patterns of the Plein.
The architectural language of the Visitor Centre mirrors the form and material of the recently completed Library and Academy Hall. It is part of a trilogy of building elements that not only use red brick and slate grey metal to respect the monument status of the Palace but also provide their own individual identity looking to the future.