🏛 The evolution of architecture and sculpture in The Hague and Schiphol, and hotel experiences
🏛 Evolution of Architecture and Sculpture in The Hague and Schiphol, and the Hotel Experience
🏨 1. Moxy The Hague (formerly Muzentoren)
Completed in 2001, Muzentoren is an octagonal office skyscraper built as part of the redevelopment of the "De Resident" district in central The Hague. At approximately 78 meters tall, it was a symbol of modern office districts at the time.
In response to changing office demand, the Marriott Group converted it into a dual-brand hotel combining "Moxy The Hague" and "Residence Inn" in 2022. Architecturally, the building's sustainable renovation, which made maximum use of the existing structure, earned it BREEAM certification. By reusing waste materials and incorporating the latest equipment, it is an example of a fusion of history and modern eco-friendly technology.
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🏛️ 2. B30 (Bezuidenhoutseweg 30)
This building, the former Ministry of Economic Affairs, was completed in 1917 and designed by government architect D.E.C. Knuttel. Its imposing façade, influenced by Dutch neoclassicism but also incorporating post-World War I rationalist tendencies, is distinctive.
In 2017, a major renovation by KAAN Architects and others preserved the historic exterior while transforming the interior into an open, transparent workspace. It currently houses knowledge institutions such as the Central Planning Board (CPB), Social and Cultural Planning Board (SCP), and Environmental Planning Board (PBL). The contrast between the exterior, symbolizing traditional authority, and the modern interior, symbolizing the exchange of knowledge, is a must-see.
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🛏️ 3. CitizenM Schiphol
The CitizenM brand, which debuted in 2008, is known as a next-generation hotel incorporating modular architecture. The guest rooms are constructed using a combination of factory-produced units, ensuring efficiency and consistent quality.
This hotel, directly connected to Schiphol Airport, is constructed using a similar method, featuring compact spaces with a focus on functional beauty. The flexibility of drop-ins, available without a reservation if a room is available on the day, embodies the architectural concept of "Mobile Citizen (CitizenM)." It can be thought of as a spatial device that seamlessly connects the fragments of a journey.
✨ Three Perspectives from an Architectural History Perspective
• Moxy The Hague → An example of 21st-century sustainable architecture, renovating a postmodern office building into a hotel.
• B30 → A prime example of the authority of early 20th-century government architecture and the transition to a 21st-century knowledge-based society.
• CitizenM Schiphol → Integrating modular architecture into urban airport infrastructure to accommodate increasingly mobile travel styles.
From the renovation of historic buildings to the latest modular hotels, The Hague and Schiphol are like living textbooks, teaching us how architecture adapts to the times.
Street Corner Sculptures
The Hague's streets are dotted with numerous sculptures that can be freely viewed, creating an environment that can be described as an "open-air museum," where you can enjoy an art stroll just by walking. This time, we'll introduce some particularly noteworthy public art from an architectural history perspective.
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Major Sculptures and Their Background
1. "Beeldengalerij" (Sculpture Gallery)
• Creation and Establishment: This project, commissioned by Stroom Den Haag in 1990, was designed by Peter Struycken. It features 40 sculptures placed at 25m intervals along the central pedestrian streets (Grote Marktstraat, Kalvermarkt, Spui).
• Features: Each sculpture is mounted on an orderly line of identical stone bases (approximately 95cm high), each with a unique piece by a different sculptor. The bases, designed by Geert Lap, are relocatable, allowing for the artworks to be rotated periodically.
• Significance: A masterpiece on an urban sculpture tour, offering a panoramic view of Dutch sculpture from the late 20th to early 21st centuries.
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2. "Haags Jantje"
• Description: This bronze statue, known as "Little Jantje of the Hague," is located in Hofvijver and was created by sculptor Ivo Coljé in 1976.
• Background: The name comes from a famous Dutch children's song, "There lives a count in The Hague, and his son is Jantje."
• Why it's loved: People can't help but touch it, and it is a beloved statue among the locals as a familiar figure.
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3. Historical Bronze Statues in the City Center
• "Willem I Equestrian Statue" (1845): The first equestrian statue in the Netherlands, it symbolizes the absolute power of the monarch.
• "Queen Wilhelmina" (1987): This sculpture by Charlotte van Pallandt features an impressive depiction of the queen as a powerful woman standing on her feet.
• "Johan de Witt" (1918): This statue commemorates the Dutch Republic's leader, Johan de Witt. It is also noted as a symbolic tribute to the history of those who lost their lives in riots.
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4. Sky Art "Hemels Gewelf" and Others (Suburban Area)
• Hemels Gewelf: A work of light and space by James Turrell. Installed on the sand dunes of Kijkduin, this immersive piece creates the sensation of a dome-like sky.
• Suburban Sculpture: The Loosduinen and Segbroek neighborhoods are dotted with innovative works such as Lon Pennock (a balanced abstract sculpture) and Donald Duk (a giant "Rubble Ball").
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5. "Indies Monument" (Indonesia Monument)
• Overview: This monument commemorates the victims of the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) (1942–1945). It was unveiled by Queen Beatrix in 1988.
• Features: A unique feature is the soil collected from seven war graves stored in the small columns at the front. The inscription "The spirit conquers" symbolizes remembrance and reconciliation.
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6. "Zebra Clock"
• Overview: The "Zebra Clock" is an 8-meter street clock located on Koningin Julianaplein, next to the Central Railway Station. This black and white zebra-patterned clock was installed by Jaap Karman in 1977.
• Urban Landmark: Often used as a "station meeting spot," it has been restored and remains a beloved fixture among local residents.
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How to Enjoy Touring Architectural Historical Sightseeing Spots
• The city itself is an open gallery: The Hague is home to over 600 outdoor artworks. For detailed information, visit the Buitenkunst Den Haag (bkdh.nl) website.
• History and modernity contrast: From traditional royal statues to contemporary abstract works, enjoy the evolution of sculpture in harmony with architecture.
• Convenient walking routes: In the city center, the "City Center Stroll" (approx. 1.5 hours) is a great way to efficiently see the city's most famous works.
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