Bouwen in een monument
Building in a monument
Renovation with respect for the past
In the Binnenhof, there is history behind every wall, in every ceiling, under every floor. Adapting such a historic monument to modern requirements requires a special, careful approach. The Central Government Real Estate Agency applies an important principle in this: the special character of this 800-year-old building must be preserved.
Well protected
A monument may not simply be refurbished. There are strict rules governing this. Which is a good thing! The buildings have historic ceilings, walls and floors. To ensure that no elements are damaged, everything will carefully covered before the renovation.
Circular construction
Where possible, the Central Government Real Estate Agency will take a circular approach to the renovation. This means that all the materials removed will be given a new life wherever possible. Take the old ceiling tiles from the House of Representatives, for example. Research showed that these could be very useful for sound insultation in new walls. The slate from the roof which cannot be recycled will be used in the new courtyard gardens.
Energy-efficient monument, sustainable construction
New smart thermal energy storage systems will maintain the temperature in the building. The Central Government Real Estate Agency will also be installing cables and pipes for the sustainable energy sources of the future. Furthermore, the actual construction work will be as sustainable as possible. A lot of the building equipment is electric. And the suppliers use as little packaging material as possible.
Reprieved from demolition
The Binnenhof has been reprieved from the sledgehammer on three occasions. The first occasion was in the seventeenth century, when Prince Maurice wanted to build a big new palace. The second time was in the Batavian-French era, when many parts of the complex had fallen into disrepair. And in 1863, the plans of Prime Minister Thorbecke for the demolition and new building had even been approved by the House of Representatives. Yet these plans also came to nothing.