A rebuild on old foundations

On the southwestern tip of the Binckhorst district in The Hague, along the Trekvliet canal and the borders of Voorburg and Rijswijk, lies the former SDU-terrain. A robust office building of 7 to 9 floors and an expanse of factory halls lend the location an industrial feel that harmonizes with the wider Binckhorst area. This industrial feel inspired the development of an alluring residential and business location: bold, contemporary, robust and generous.

Binck Eiland (‘Binck Island’) is a project to redevelop 8.000 m2 of office space and 10.000 m2 of industrial space (the former SDU-complex), to shape a multi-functional area where living and working are closely intertwined. It is the first large scale redevelopment in the Binckhorst, a new urban district of The Hague. The redevelopment of Binck Eiland is fully focused on the creation of sustainable living environments. On several levels, this ambition has been integrated into the design of the buildings and the area. For example, the large industrial halls are reused elsewhere in the country, and their foundations have been repurposed for the new build. Furthermore, the area will become much greener: it will have eleven times more planting than before.

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.