The choice for a steel structure as opposed to the traditional concrete structure proved to yield added value during the various phases from urban planning to execution.

Design

Due to the surrounding buildings the first levels up until 19 meters were unsuitable for living purposes. On the one side there is the Prince Bernhard viaduct, on the other side there are the buildings of the Dutch National Archives and the National Library. Therefore the architect Rudy Uytenhaak decided to lift the apartment building and put it on stilts. In the plinth a two-storey car park and storage room are included. On top of the plinth two entrances to the stairs and elevators are created, giving access to the 17 residential levels with 115 houses. Each level contains 7 apartments of approximately 120 square meters. The top level accommodates three luxury penthouses.

The shape of the lifted multi-storey building volume optimizes the orientation of the building. The north side, which is pointed at the busy access road, is narrow and introvert. The vast, open south side opens up to the city center.

The choice for steel

Originally the building was designed in concrete, with large concrete discs to support the building. Unfortunately the discs would obstruct the open route between the city centre and the business district surrounding the Central Station. As a result of the socially insecure situation that would arise, the project developer looked for alternatives. A spatial steel tube structure in the shape of a turned pyramid proved not only to create more free space, but provided a weight reduction as well.

As a consequence of this decision, the engineering company Adams realized that a steel structure for the whole of the building would have more advantages on this small building lot. On top of the considerable savings in building mass, the choice for steel meant faster erection, a dry building method, accuracy by prefabrication and space savings on the construction site as well.

Key information

Number of storeys	17
Living area (m2)	16100 m2
New-build home

Location of steel solutions

Beams
Columns
Lift core
Floor
Internal wall

Types of steel used in the building

Long carbon steel
Metallic coated flat carbon steel

Multi-storey building, The Hague