A rebuild on old foundations

At the southwestern tip of the Binckhorst — located along the Trekvliet and bordering Voorburg and Rijswijk — lay the former SDU site. Comprising a robust 7–9 storey office building and a large expanse of industrial halls, the area had an industrial character in keeping with the current Binckhorst. Within the framework of the Binckhorst transformation, this site offered the opportunity to develop a remarkable mixed-use district: bold, contemporary, sturdy, and generous.

Binck Eiland is a redevelopment project transforming 8,000 m² of office space and 10,000 m² of industrial halls (the former SDU complex) into a multifunctional area where living and working are closely intertwined. It was the first large-scale redevelopment within the Binckhorst — The Hague’s emerging urban district.

The development of Binck Eiland was entirely focused on creating a sustainable living environment. That ambition has been integrated in multiple ways into both the building and site design. For instance, the entire industrial hall was reused at a new location in Barneveld, while the existing foundations were repurposed for new construction. In addition, the area was significantly greened — increasing the amount of vegetation by a factor of eleven compared to the former situation.

Its surroundings lend character

For the landscaping and functioning of the area, surrounding developments and characteristics are picked up on and integrated into Binck Eiland’s distinct identity. Four main influences determine this identity:

• The existing (and developing) qualities of the harbour Binckhaven: a bold, water-rich, quayside world of cobble-stones, concrete slabs, robust objects and contemporary functionalities, with conference centre Caballerofabriek and rooftop restaurant Mama Kelly as trendy hotspots. From Binck Eiland, a footpath will extend towards the area, with bold materialisation, residential housing with room for personal expression and opportunities for water recreation along its route.
• The future Trekvlietpark: a climate robust park with water retention and an increase of green space, ecology and recreation. The head of Binck Eiland will be part of the park and its climate robust set-up.
• The Broeksloot: an ecological water axis with a bold, green character. In the design for Binck Eiland, this axis is extended and reinforced with additional ecological and recreational value: living in a green environment.
• Binck Eiland: because Binck Eiland is the first redevelopment of the district, a strong identity is key: it is the leading example for future developments in the district. The design aims for recognisable zoning that adds a human scale to the former industrial landscape. This requires cohesive materialisation and sophisticated dimensioning. Within the new building block, on top of a parking garage, a unique, publicly accessible roof garden is created.

Outside is where you get to know your neighbours

The landscaping of Binck Eiland invites people to spend their time. The quayside is purposefully designed for walking on summer evenings in the late sunshine and for sitting down with neighbours to catch up. The edge of the quay is shaped as a stairway, to comfortably sit on. The head of the island is richly planted and provides many leisure opportunities, such as a café terrace and a long ledge to sit on in the evening sun. On three sides of the building block, close to the houses, street furniture has been placed, to enable residents to sit among the planting. Between this furnished strip and the houses, a broad pavement has been realised, inviting intensive use. Along the walls of the houses, residents can place their own garden bench, flower pots and accessories in a display strip.