The proposal will serve as city’s gateway, standing in connection with the central train station. It’s symbolic value as the entrance to The Hague drives our ambition for a square that welcomes new visitors, provides an enticing social space for locals and in facilitating the rush of daily commuters. Through an efficient configuration of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle circulation the square will function as a guiding entrance towards the center for incoming visitors as well as local commuters. In addition, a new bicycle parking basement located under the square will increase parking capacity whilst freeing up the square as a social gathering space.

The Hague is a seaside city that effortlessly blends an official status as a judicial world capital with a pleasant, elegant and green look. Our plan for KJ square emphasises and reinforces these characteristics through an inclusive approach of landscape design, urbanism, architecture, engineering and programme implemention.

The new entrance hall will feature impressive artistic references to the international role of the city. It will offer new attractive bars and retail shops as well as conference and debate spaces. All this combined with a square where one can relax on the terraces of a new pavilion or take a leisurely stroll towards the Koekamp park, unhindered by traffic.

‘The Hague Carpet’ vs ‘The Green Carpet’

The KJ square is connected to a number of other formal squares within The Hague’s historical city center creating a link coined ‘The Hague carpet’. Each square along The Hague carpet has a specific identity in relation to their context or use of which our proposal will play a part. Many exisitng squares are bordered by museums, government institutions and other public buildings.

Simultaneously, our plan aims to add a new link along ‘the green carpet’- a series of green spaces and parks. Fundamental characteristics from existing green spaces inform the ingredients for our proposal however, we add distinct 21st Century twist when it comes to durability, functionality, flexibility and quality of stay. KJ-square is the starting point of ‘the green carpet’ projecting a line that extends towards the historic center, the Museum Quarter, the Hague forest and beach.