Three finalists for new Spuiplein centre

Three architectural bureaus have been selected out of 16 international teams to make a design for the international competition for the new dance and music centre on the Spuiplein in The Hague.

The three finalists for the ‘Cultuurforum Spui’ are the team of Neutelings Riedijk Architects & Kirkegaard Associates in Rotterdam, Zaha Hadid Architects from London and RAU Architects from Amsterdam.

In this project, the Nederlands Dans Theater, Residentie Orkest and Royal Conservatoire will be joined together in one single building complex of 40,000 m2 with theatre, concert hall and rehearsal facilities.

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

Of the three bureaus Neutelings Riedijk/ Kirkegaard Associates received the most points. All the plans were evaluated in terms of cost, sustainability, how it fits with the surroundings, innovation and architectural quality. The competition is being carried out under a strict European procurement procedure.

Currently it is still uncertain whether the new dance and music centre will actually be built. The new Municipal Executive still hasn’t appropriated the money for the complex.

Visit the website of the Cultuurforum Spui to see an impression of the winning designs.