Smart City – The Hague City Entrances

Commissioned by the Municipality of The Hague, we explored how the city entrances in The Hague could be improved with the help of smart technological applications. After mapping the dynamic use of each city entrance (including CS, HS, LaanvanNOI and the Loper Oude Centrum), we have proposed various concrete solutions. Technological solutions that positively influence functionality and experience in the field of way finding, mobility (‘the last mile’), safety and information / communication. An improvement in the perception of the city entrances also contributes to strengthening the unique character of the Hague at the entrances.
In order to create broad support among both users of the city entrances and the various departments involved within the municipality, we organized various workshops and we literally observed the day to day usage in order to visualize the dynamics of the city entrances. The result of the exploration is a shortlist of possible technological interventions and solutions that can be implemented in the relatively short term. Solutions that improve city entrances and contribute to the Smart City ambitions of the city of The Hague.

Highrise at Scheepmakershaven – Rotterdam

In the middle of the heart of Rotterdam is the ‘Wijnhaveneiland’ located, an area of ports and islands with a high concentration of high-rise buildings. The Wijnhavenkwartier is in full development with multiple building projects such as The Muse, Terraced Tower and Uptown.

As strategic designers, we have developed a concept for a tower at Scheepmakershaven 27/29 on behalf of Stebru. A distinctive concept that, in addition to the not (always) distinctive high-rise in the area, adds value to the location and puts Wijnhaveneiland on the map.

Based on a broad analysis of trends / developments in the city and a spatial analysis of the area, we came up with the concept based on three pillars: adding dynamism, a diverse program and high-quality public space. Connecting the roofs, place-making in the plinth of the existing building and a construction that leaves room for various functions.

The concept has been translated into spatial models. Together with the municipality, we determined the ambition for this place. Based on our concept Stebru organized an architect selection and selected the design from MoederscheinMoonen Architects. The result is a challenging design in which our concept is spatially translated (link to the design ).

Kessler Park – Rijswijk

We are extremely proud that we are working on the identity and positioning of Kesslerpark Rijswijk, the former Shell research site, on behalf of Kadans Science Partner. Kesslerpark is being redeveloped into a unique mixed-use area where living, working, research and education can be accommodated.

The green campus-like setting with high-quality office, education and laboratory facilities, in combination with the perfect accessibility next to the NS station and highways, make this location a green oasis in Rijswijk.

More coming soon!

Kazerneterrein Venlo

A New Course for the Venlo Kazerneterrein, former military barracks site.

Venlo has its origins along the Maas and is beautifully situated. Fort Sint Michiel was built around 1600 on the west side of the Maas, which fell into disrepair at the end of the 17th century. The military barracks site was built here at the beginning of 1900, on and around the foundations of the Fort. Ideally a strategic place with a view of the city and the Maas and inextricably linked to the city.

The Kazerneterrein in Venlo was purchased by the municipality of Venlo in 2006 and subsequently included as an integral part in the Vision Urban Center 2022. The former plans for the Kazerne Quarter were based on a top down development by determining which commercial program was the most suitable for this location. At the same time, a residential program was excluded.

The municipality of Venlo asked The Men of Foam to develop a new course for the Kazerne Quarter. We believe in the power and character of the Kazerne Quarter itself, whereby our vision provides for a lively center-urban district of Venlo. Our vision provides for four important elements: 1. a dynamic area development from bottom up, 2. introduction of a spatial grid, 3. adding the residential function and 4. development of the area by multiple parties.

The ‘New Course’ was presented at the end of 2018 to the city council of Venlo. Subsequently, an elaboration took place in the spring of 2019, via find this link .

Overstad – Alkmaar
Bazaar concept

A lot of work is being done on the transformation of the former industrial area Overstad. The municipality of Alkmaar is taking an active role in this and various great developments and initiatives have already been realized.
The Overstad Development Vision gives a clear direction to the steps that must be taken in the coming years. An important task that follows from the Development Vision is the creation of a bazaar-like wandering environment in which there is room for a lively trade in second-hand furniture in combination with small-scale catering establishments.

Commissioned by the municipality of Alkmaar, we explores the possibilities for a Bazaar concept at Overstad. Bazaar in the broadest sense of the word: from a recycled boulevard to a very diverse second-hand programme in the form of vintage stores and repair shops. We explored the range of possibilities with the municipality of Alkmaar and local owners and entrepreneurs. Through creative workshops in which we shared the common interests. In addition, we performed a market analysis of the second-hand market, in order to get a good feel for the latest trends and developments within this sector.

client: Municipality of Alkmaar, department of Economic Affairs

Binckhorst – The Hague
Plot 2 ZIP2516

ZIP2516 is the winning proposal for the “Plot 2 ‘The Urban Lab’ Challenge” competition.
The ZIP 2516 proposal has been invented and prepared in cooperation with architects Studio Komma and is to be an important driver to the transformation of the Binckhorst industrial and commercial area in The Hague.

The award consists of a municipal contribution of € 50,000.- for the further design and development of Plot 2 at Melkweg Road. The jury has assessed the proposal as “a plan with balls” and as a real eyecatcher focussing on the future users of the area.

ZIP2516 is a concept where social and commercial entrepeneurship will meet and is to be combined with open public spaces. ZIP2516 connects such through its unique design: combining a stacked programme with challenging functions such as:

• At ground floor level: Happy Tosti, a socially engaged entrepeneur who, in cooperation with equally engaged entrepeneurs, will produce a flagship store, a training centre and catering facilities.
• At first floor level: Urban Playground, which is to be a public square and terrace with space for events, meetings and sports.
• At second and third floor levels: World Startup Factory, which is an incubator for startups which will, in cooperation with regional knowledge centres, provide an accelerator programme to firmly boost the urban and regional economy.
• At fourth floor level: Hermit Gin Bar, which will be a rooftop bar with locally brewed gin, a terrace and a vegetable garden.

The iconic building will make use of donor material from an old parking garage and will have a smart facade with which energy can be produced. Moreover the building is designed as a Lego package: fully suitable for de-as well as reassembly. In fact, when and if required, ZIP2516 can be moved to another site to boost the urban and/or regional economy.

Unmanned Valley – Valkenburg proposal for redevelopment

Commissioned by the organizations of Innovation Quarter and Unmanned Valley
Valkenburg (RoboValley) we have worked on the proposition for UNMANNED VALLEY at the former Valkenburg airfield.
For the bidbook we organized substantive discussions with the various stakeholders involved in this project and process. We translated all strategic and substantive information into a concrete space plan. As well as for the physical indoor and outdoor testing facilities for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s), as well for feasible real estate developments at the site.

For the first phase of Unmanned Valley Valkenburg (UVV) we have calculated the real estate development and the exploitation of such. This resulted in a concrete proposition with which the neighbouring municipality of Katwijk, the Zuid Holland provincial government and the RVB (the National Real Estate Company) can progress further.

Eventually we assembled all substantieve input in a bidbook: an attractively designed paper which was handed over to the Katwijk Municipality and the Zuid Holland Provincial Government at the Innovation Year Event 2016, at which yearly event actual innovative developments and innovative companies are presented.

See here for the link to the bidbook.

client: Innovation Quarter & UVV

“We are now at the beginning of the Second Machine Age, in which intelligent robots of the
so-called unmanned systems will play an important role in our economy and which will have a great impact on our society. Dutch companies and research institutes are serious players in this revolution. Typical examples of this revolution are the smart robots by RoboValley, communication technology for autonomous vehicles by NXP, composites by Airborne, artificial intelligence by Leiden University, fully autonomous milking robots by Lely, ambulance drones by Delft Technical University and commercial drones by Aerialtronics.

So to seize this opportunity collectively, the De Mannen van Schuim (The Men of Foam),
commissioned by Innovation Quarter and Unmanned Valley Valkenburg, have concretely translated this proposition in a bidbook. This bidbook is to trigger off a dialogue and a cooperation among all participating UVV and Valkenburg stake holders.”

Agenda ‘Ruimte voor de Stad’ – The Hague
participation- and co-creation proces The Hague 2040

The Hague is preparing for the future. In the context of the Spatial Planning for the City Agenda, we, as a design team together with the Scheveningen area coalition, prepared the spatial future sketch for the Scheveningen district. An exciting co-creation process in which various stakeholders such as residents and entrepreneurs were involved in shaping The Hague of 2040.
From the trends around economy, demography, sustainability and technology, we determined the spatial challenges for the coming years.
Where are the opportunities for intensification, compaction and energy-efficient solutions? What role will technology play in The Hague as a “smart city”?

With the area coalition of the Scheveningen district, we translated current and future opportunities and limitations of Scheveningen into a spatial program and concrete tasks. Tasks that must be tackled in the coming years to keep Scheveningen and The Hague future-proof.

For this process we worked together with Blossity, boutique consultants from The Hague.

client: Municipality of The Hague, department DSO

PWC HQ – Amsterdam

For Flow Real Estate, asset management and project development, we have prepared a proposal for the positioning of Westgate I in Amsterdam. Westgate I is rented out to PWC HQ. Part of the positioning was a future-proof office concept based on the PWC office strategy. This concept is called: ‘Activity based working and beyond’.
Within the current building configuration we have searched for a way to translate the various functions, programs and experiences of PWC office strategy into an integrated experience concept and attractive flooplan. The result is a new working and meeting environment on the ground and first floor. Through light, space and an open plan concept, functions such as the PWC-University, Yoga & Wellness center, Creation Valley and the multifunctional restaurant are connected via the PWC City PLaza, a new heart of the building based on a healthy working environment and meeting areas.