West 8’s New landscape vision for the waterfront boulevard Kijkduin, The Hague

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 around 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 250 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. 

Official press-release (in Dutch) can be found here.