The Hague Central Library

The Hague Library

Spatial redesign of the city's music library

Spatial redesign of a music library

The Hague Central Library

The Hague Library

Year: 2020
Field: Spatial Design
Type: Team Project
Role: Project Lead

About This Project

This university project was an official proposal for the redesign of the Central Library The Hague in the Netherlands. The work was a joint effort with the Dutch Royal Conservatoire, the Central Library The Hague, and the Dutch Institute of Music.

Music Floor Rooftop Terrace
Redesigned library terrace
Terrace Bar & Outside Areas
Rooftop bar & outside seating areas
Music Exhibition Space
Music Floor exhibition space
Music Floor Study Pods (Outside)
Study pods & multi-purpose studios
Music Floor Study Pods (Inside)
Study pod interior
Customized Bookshelf Design
Custom-made furniture & bookshelves

Spatial Design

The aim of this concept was to transform the so-called Music Floor of the Central Library into an interactive space where visitors may socialize, relax, and study. The proposed design was conceptualized through 3D renderings following the original building plans by American architect Richard Meier.

Music Floor Floorplan
3D Model
Floorplan Drawing

Research & Concept

An intensive research phase that combined activities from the field of Spatial Design and Service Design preceded the development stages of this project. Through a mix of qualitative and quantitative activities, customer journey maps, service blueprints, and personas, the central needs of all the involved target users of this project could be infused into the final design.

Year: 2020
Client: The Hague Library
Field: Spatial Design
Type: Team Project
Role: Project Lead
CAD Model 1
3D model (perspective view)
CAD Model 2
3D model (bird's-eye view)

About

Introduction

In collaboration with the Dutch Royal Conservatoire and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, this project presents the proposed redesign for the new Music Floor of the Central Library The Hague.

Background

The Central Library The Hague is located in the historical city center of The Hague within walking distance of the Dutch government. Designed by Richard Meier in 1986, the library has received multiple international architectural awards and is often regarded as one of the most influential Neo-Corbusian buildings in the Netherlands.

Research

As the team leader of our project group, I organized and planned all the research activities that were part of our design process. This also included the development of customer journey maps, service blueprints, personas, and other deliverables that could be shared with the team at the Central Library, the Royal Conservatoire, and the Dutch Institute of Music.

3D Modeling

The 3D model created at the end of this project is a 1:1 scale representation of the library's Music Floor, including custom-made bookshelves, chairs, tables, information desks, and study rooms. Moreover, an immersive VR model of the design has been developed in Unreal Engine to allow users to also experience a more life-like version of the proposed concept.

Tools Used

  •  Autodesk AutoCAD
  •  SketchUp
  •  Twinmotion
  •  Unreal Engine