From a bleak and stone area to a green oasis, Binck Eiland has undergone a remarkable transformation. The SDU-site, once home to the eponymous printing company, consisted of an office building and a large area of industrial halls. The development of Binck Eiland has resulted in a new, vibrant residential and working area. What has emerged is a contemporary part of the city where nature, community and sustainability take centre stage.
Binck Eiland is a unique project in The Hague’s Binckhorst district, a former industrial and business area that has been transformed into a lively urban neighbourhood. Binck Eiland consists of three subprojects: De Binck, designed by Kraaijvanger; Binck Plaats; and Binck Kade. Of these, two are designed by us: Binck Plaats and Binck Kade. Binck Plaats comprises of 46 townhouses built around a communal rooftop garden. This garden is located on top of the underground parking garage, keeping cars out of sight. Binck Kade consists of two modern residential towers offering space for 113 apartments. Together, the project provides a varied selection of luxury apartments, penthouses, townhouses and micro-apartments, all with beautiful views of the adjacent water of The Hague’s skyline.
GREEN AS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE
A defining feature of Binck Eiland is the focus on greener, which has greatly influenced the area’s identity and atmosphere. Greening played a prominent role in the design, resulting in a 1,100% increase in green space. The semi-public rooftop garden of 6,500m² has made a major contribution to this. At the edges of the rooftop garden are the private gardens of the townhouses, which are separated from each other by green beech hedges. By making these hedges lower on the side of the communal garden, spontaneous encounters between neighbours are encouraged. The central part of the communal garden is slightly elevated and features a lawn with trees planted in a one-meter-thick soil layer. The difference in height is resolved by ‘The longest bench of The Hague,’ which runs around this elevation.
Thanks to the explosive increase in greenery, Binck Eiland has become a pleasant living environment. Because the U-shaped low-rise block has a compact structure, the quays have been designed as attractive walking and recreational areas. Walk along the quay to the tip of the island, where a small park has been created with many places to dwell, such as a concrete seating edge facing the evening sun of the terrace of the café located in the plinth of the high-rise. By making the entrance to the parking garage directly accessible from the main road, the island has been made car-free. This leaves plenty of space for amenities to enjoy the surroundings.
AN INDUSTRIAL APPEARANCE
Binck Eiland features a dynamic façade, partly due to the variation in scale. Shifts in height prevent the block from feeling massive and creates space for rooftop terraces. The different rooflines and building heights give the townhouses of Binck Plaats a ‘row house structure’, contributing to the diversity and dynamism of the façade. The island’s height forms a transition to The Hague’s city centre, whilst also respecting the low-rise buildings in the adjacent residential neighbourhood. The industrial character of the location is reflected in the architectural design. The townhouses are characterized by dark brick and box windows. Double-height white brick frames add ‘air’ to the façade. The two residential towers also have a robust and raw exterior, party due to the use of slate. The semi-recessed balconies and large vertical windows give the buildings a sleek yet sturdy look. This also provided plenty of natural light, making the apartments feel even more spacious. In the loggias on the top floors of the high-rises, an art installation designed by Peter Vink called ‘Beacon of the Binckhorst’ has been installed. The ‘stack of papers’ make the cultural history of the location tangible.
