Expansion and renovation of the Canadian Embassy
Expansion and renovation of the Canadian Embassy
Expansion and renovation of the Canadian Embassy
Coherent renovation and new construction inspired by Palladian architecture
The Canadian embassy in The Hague has been extensively renovated and expanded. This project was created in collaboration with the Canadian AA Architects and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the direction of atelier PRO. The existing 1955 building is located in Willemspark in The Hague, around Plein 1813, amidst a historicizing new building. The neighborhood is characterized by 19th century white Palladian-style villas, very generously located in the green around two main axes planted with Chestnuts. The Canadian Embassy's architecture harks back to Palladio's villas, but the style is even more akin to that of American government buildings. The building is made of natural stone on the street side, in contrast to the plastered 19th century neighboring buildings. On a granite plinth, there is a two-layer volume covered with French limestone.
This plinth, the generous floor height and the granite and limestone cladding have been repeated in the new building, which was placed as an autonomous volume in the backyard.
The offices in the new building have floor-to-ceiling curtain walls. A white silkscreen pattern has been applied to large parts of the glass that works as curtains and blinds.
Existing and new are linked by two corridors. The corridors enclose a patio. These connecting elements are designed to be as transparent as possible. The slim supporting structure derives its stability largely from the steel walkways on the first floor. In the existing villa from 1955, the wooden frames have been replaced by aluminum, with a profile that respects the original situation. In the villa, only the Ambassador's room has remained unchanged. New stairwells have been installed in new positions and the layout of the office rooms has been radically changed.
