Plan Ypenburg Centre The Hague

A new residential area is scheduled in the former location of Ypenburg Airport. The plan for the heart of the new estate includes a clearly identifiable centre area that unites residences, community services and shops to create a good place to dwell both during the day and at night.The introduction of various milieus cuts the large-sized location back to the measure of man. With the former airport in mind, the layout of the buildings reminds one of airplanes ready for take-off. Bent building blocks, square with the runway, narrow and widen into intriguing public spaces and courtyards. A transparent plinth houses central facilities and services. Two or more floors over the plinth are earmarked for residential use. The slightly receding plinth creates a natural porch that shelters visitors.De design of the building blocks is plain and sculptural. The residence's outdoor spaces are conceived as loggias within the façade surface. High accents mark unusual places or discontinuances. The high traffic tower, for instance, marks the spot where the canal ends. The façade is clad in red and brown brick planes, slowly blending together.