Dune landscape returns to Kijkduin-Bad
West 8’s vision turns family beach destination into a green window at sea
On 3rd of November 2016, the vision for Kijkduin-Bad’s public space, designed by West 8 and commissioned by the municipality of The Hague, was presented to the residents and business sector of Kijkduin-Bad (which literally translates as: Outlook-Dune’s Swimming-Beach), located along The Hague’s seashore. The first outline of the plans, which were initiated in 2008, are now taking shape. Kijkduin-Bad is a popular family destination. In the vision prepared by West 8, it will be enriched with new dunes, beach grass, a ‘Balcony at Sea’, a lively promenade and easier and safer traffic flows. Central to the vision for Kijkduin’s public space is the return of the Dutch dune landscape. This creates an awareness of the proximity to the sea and reinforces the traditional Dutch coastal experience. West 8 Design Director, Adriaan Geuze: ‘Upon arrival you immediately sense the beach and the scent of the sea.’ His presentation was applauded by the audience.
West 8’s vision provides a careful spatial integration of several multifunctional real estate developments. Located along the seaside boulevard the existing Atlantic hotel will be renovated and enlarged and the retail centre completely renewed and extended. In addition, a total of 650 new dwellings are planned for the entire village. To reinforce the identity of Kijkduin as a small coastal settlement West 8 has emphasized aspects like intimacy, seclusion and shelter.
Situated on top of the dune between the new shopping area and the Atlantic Hotel, the ‘Balcony at Sea’ on the Delta Plaza will become the central point of Kijkduin-Bad. The decision to construct the new dunes was made for two reasons: they naturally solve the significant height differences in the area and simultaneously connect Kijkduin with its surrounding coastal context.
Beachgoers can enjoy themselves along a 280 meter long promenade complete with restaurants and terraces. The main entrance route, the Kijkduinsestraat, is designed as a gateway to the sea. The existing Deltastraat is part of the coastal green belt and will be adorned with sand and beach grass. Several passageways connect the inside of the new shopping area with the Delta Square and the Boulevard. The entrances to the upstairs apartments are also located within this shopping area.
Visitors and residents of Kijkduin-Bad will be able to park their cars and bicycles completely out of sight, under the shopping center and Deltaplein, creating plenty of space for pedestrians. The entrance to the underground car park will be located in the median strip of the Kijkduinsestraat. With the streamlining of the infrastructure, new space will be created for improvements to the long-distance cycle route along the Dutch coast. The vision also fits seamlessly with the ‘Healthy Coast’, the investment program for Scheveningen-Bad region. Building is expected to start summer 2017.
West 8 is an award-winning international office for urban design and landscape architecture founded in 1987. Over the last 25 years West 8 has established itself as a leading practice with an international team of 70 architects, urban designers, landscape architects and industrial engineers. West 8 developed projects all over the world in places such as Copenhagen, London, Moscow, New York, Madrid, Toronto and Amsterdam. The office gained international recognition with projects such as Schouwburgplein in Rotterdam (NL), Borneo-Sporenburg in Amsterdam (NL), Jubilee Gardens in London (UK), Expo \’02 in Yverdon-les-Bains (CH) and Miami Beach SoundScape Park (US). Many of the projects are the result of groundbreaking entries in important international competitions. Recently won competitions include Toronto Waterfront in Toronto (CA), Governors Island in New York (USA) and Yongsan Park in Seoul (KR).
Amongst the numerous awards received by West 8 are the Honor Award of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Lifetime Achievement Award for Architecture 2011, Mondriaan Fund (formerly BKVB), the International Urban Landscape Gold Award (IULA), the Prix de Rome, the Dutch Maaskant Award, the Bijhouwer Award, the Rosa Barba First European Landscape Prize, the Green Pin and the Veronica Rudge Green Prize for Urban Design.
For more information: Public Relations, Winnie Poon or Lydia Franken, +31 (0)10 – 485 58 01, pr@west8.com, www.west8.com
