ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

NETHERLANDS FORENSIC INSTITUTE

CLAUS EN KAAN, 1999-2004, Laan van Ypenburg 6, Den Haag (Ypenburg)

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Claus en Kaan

PROJECT ARCHITECT:
Kees Kaan
Leo Harders
Vincent Panhuysen
Dikkie Scipio

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Felix Claus
Kees Kaan

BUILDING TYPE:
Office buildings


RELATED BUILDINGS:
Urban Design Ypenburg

This combination of offices and laboratories is where national scientific research is done to help solve crimes. The large signature building occupies a high visibility location yet itself is unforthcoming due to the nature of the activities inside. The complex has four storeys, including a basement half tucked into the embankment. Large rectangular overhangs on the facades keep the sun out and give the building a strong horizontal thrust. Large light courts are hewn from the centre of the building's mass. Set square to these is a long volume along the building's main axis, a monumental double-height hall of 70 by 7 metres. The laboratories stand along the outer walls; all offices look into the courtyards.