Zuid57
Until recently, there was little cultural activity in the Escamp district of The Hague. However, with the transformation of a school building designed by architect Sjoerd Schamhart in 1957, that is now a thing of the past. Ceres Projects, the project developer for the housing corporation Vestia in the Haaglanden region, took the initiative to breathe new life into the building by transforming it into a cultural business center. The task was complex and included housing for Theater Dakota, which not only includes their office but also a theater hall with approximately 200 seats and accompanying spaces, a luxury cinema, and a multifunctional studio. Additionally, the building had to provide space for the Koorenhuis art center, which offers various creative courses and requires specific spaces. Finally, Vestia wanted to rent out a third of the building to companies in the creative sector.
Client: Ceres Projects / Vestia The Hague
Workshop of Wonders, in collaboration with graphic designers Carrie Zwarts and Sybren Kuiper, was selected to design a suitable content program. Their work is inspired by the film posters of the 1950s and 1960s by the acclaimed American artist Saul Bass. He designed posters for films such as West Side Story, Vertigo, and Spartacus. The graphic layer also refers to the graphic work of artists Hussum and Voskuyl, who provided the school with modern figurative images.
The additional loose furniture is characterized by Vos as neo-vintage: new furniture partly designed in, partly inspired by, a historical era, but made in the style of the 1950s.
ZUID57 is a successful repurposing project. A low-maintenance, sustainable interior has been realized that aligns well with the experiences of the various user groups.
Until recently, there was little cultural activity in the Escamp district of The Hague. However, with the transformation of a school building designed by architect Sjoerd Schamhart in 1957, that is now a thing of the past. Ceres Projects, the project developer for the housing corporation Vestia in the Haaglanden region, took the initiative to breathe new life into the building by transforming it into a cultural business center. The task was complex and included housing for Theater Dakota, which not only includes their office but also a theater hall with approximately 200 seats and accompanying spaces, a luxury cinema, and a multifunctional studio. Additionally, the building had to provide space for the Koorenhuis art center, which offers various creative courses and requires specific spaces. Finally, Vestia wanted to rent out a third of the building to companies in the creative sector.
Client: Ceres Projects / Vestia The Hague