The urban development plan for Laakhaven which included the design of the Haagse Hogeschool (The Hague College of Higher Education) also provided for an extension of the strip with a tower for office space.
This area is now being filled with 309 student apartments in a way that retains the possibility of education premises in the extended strip for a future date. It will be possible to combine different types of premises in the tower if desired.
The complex will offer a diverse range of single and 2-bedroom units (ranging from 24 m2 to 45 m2), long-stay apartments, communal areas, a laundry facility and a bicycle parking area. The continuation of the strip will lead to a facade that will match the look of the existing facade. The facade will partly be rendered and on the side facing the water will have a recessed wooden curtain wall. Prefabricated concrete columns placed in front of the facade will provide a continuation of the existing row.
On the other side the new facade will join the existing rendered facade. A high gateway over the lowest floors makes deliveries to the front of the Hogeschool possible. The ground floor facade which will also have the communal bicycle parking facility located behind it, will fit in with the delivery facade of the Hogeschool. At the front, maisonettes will screen off the bicycle parking area which is readily accessible at ground level.
The tower (with a diameter of 25 metres and a height of 60 metres) will have red masonry with red mortar which will form a strong colour accent in combination with the Hogeschool. The facade will have a high base and will match the height of the prefabricated columns on the side facing the water. In addition to the entrance hall the ground floor will have an area for renting out. Each standard floor in the tower will have eleven units (8 of 24 m2 and 3 of 30 m2) and a communal area of 48 m2. A laundry and a manager’s area will be located on the first floor.
The top two levels of the tower will contain maisonettes. The roof terrace situated on the top level will be shielded by a facade that extends along the full length. The interior walkways in the strip (with a total of 102 units) will have glass brick floors which allow light to penetrate. Fire-escape stairs will be located at the narrow end joining the Hogeschool.
