Architects present plans for new Spuiplein centre

Sixteen architectural bureaus submitted their designs for a new dance and music centre on the Spuiplein. Their work can be seen in an exhibition in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall from 20 April to 3 June 2010.

Exhibition in Atrium, photo by Marsel Loermans

A new dance and music centre

At present there is a European procurement procedure taking place to select the architectural bureau which will build the new dance and music centre. The so-called 'Cultuurforum Spui' will serve as the home base for the Royal Conservatoire, Nederlands Dans Theater, Residentie Orkest and the Stichting Gastprogrammering.

The new building on the Spuiplein will become the hot spot in The Hague for dance, opera, musicals, family shows, theatre, concerts, classical music and jazz.

Exhibition

Sixteen  renowned architectural bureaus have submitted a design for the new centre. All the designs will be exhibited from 20 April to 3 June in the Atrium in City Hall.

The Atrium of The Hague City Hall at Spui 70 in The Hague is open Monday to Friday from 7.00 till 19.00 hrs and Thursday until 21.30 hrs. On Saturday the Atrium is open from 9.30 till 17.00 hrs and it is closed on Sunday.

Culture Forum website

You can also take a look at the architectural designs on the Dutch site: www.cultuurforum-spui.nl. A number of documents can also be downloaded from the site.

Committee

A selection committee led by politician and royal advisor Herman Tjeenk Willink will evaluate the 16 designs and select three finalists, which will then further develop their ideas. The committee will ultimately recommend one architectural bureau to the Municipal Executive (college van burgemeester en wethouders).

Your opinion

Public opinion will play an important role in the selection committee’s final decision. If your Dutch is good enough, take the time to fill in a questionnaire about the architectural designs. You can fill it in on line on the Cultuurforum Spui website. The committee will take the results of the questionnaire in consideration in making its selection.