By Gabrielle Kennedy / 19-01-2012

When the Foreign Ministry approached Hella Jongerius for the redesign of the North Delegates' Lounge she was told that each pitch had to be a consortium consisting of an architect, a designer and an artist.  “The project had to communicate the Dutch creative industries as broadly as possible,” she says.  

Financial considerations as well as requests from all the involved governments made it a complex job.  The Netherlands wanted the space to work as a podium for Dutch design, architecture and art.  “Whereas the UN just wanted it to function,” says Jongerius.

To function as a podium for Dutch design, however, requires some thinking on just what that now is.  “We discussed this a lot,” Jongerius says, “and concluded that the term Dutch design had really been devalued.  The term no longer refers to a certain type of attitude, but rather anything that is produced on Dutch soil.  I find that a real shame.”

For her consortium Jongerius immediately chose long-term collaborators Louise Schouwenberg (theoretician) and Irma Boom (graphic designer).  “We feel very comfortable together and speak the same language,” Jongerius says.

From there the trio had to decide on the right architect then artist.  “I have no skills in interior design and I am not really interested in it,” Jongerius says.  “I am a product designer.”

A lot of architects and even interior architects were considered.  “But in the end the obvious choice was Rem Koolhaas,” Jongerius says.

Irma Boom had already done a lot of projects with Koolhaas so was tasked with gauging his interest.

“I thought that this is such a historical and important building and that if one wants to change anything then it is important to have an architect who feels comfortable with and has had experience with renovating historical buildings.  We also needed someone who had the power to offer solutions.”

Beyond mere interest, it turned out that the UN building in New York is one of Koolhaas’ favourites.

“I was relieved because in the grand scheme of things, this is not a large project,” Jongerius says.  “It is not like he was being asked to design an entire building.”

From the get go this project has been a very political one.  Just getting the gig entailed a bag full of political manoeuvrings and lobbying.  “But Holland got the best space,” says Jongerius.  “Denmark got the council chamber, Russia the security council, Turkey the ambassador lounge and China the second floor.  But the delegates' lounge is big and where all the deals are ultimately done.”

The North Delegates' Lounge had not been renovated for thirty years, and probably won’t be for another thirty.  “So we wanted something functional, calm and timeless,” Jongerius says.  

Given the function of the building, a lot of peculiar specifics had to be factored in.  “The windows need to be covered to ensure that the room is not visible from a helicopter,” Jongerius says.  “Also, when someone walks into the room they need to be able to get a good overview of who is in there and who is talking to whom.  It is officially an informal meeting and networking place, but who is there and what is being discussed is all very carefully arranged.”

Many meetings were held in both New York and The Hague where a lot of very specific feedback and instructions were given before the design phase of the job was put to rest.  “It was very intense,” Jongerius says.  “Initially we had some large architectural interventions, but they were seen as too much and removed. Lester’s art also required a lot of discussion.”

Now in the production phase the team is thrilled with the final plan. “It is very conceptual,” says Jongerius, “and on all levels it is interesting.  There is a clear voice and a mixture of old and new.  It is layered, but clear and serves as a real tribute to the building.”

Over the next few months design.nl will cover this project’s progress.  We will talk to producers like Vitra, Royal Tichelaar Makkum and Desso, as well as the individual designers to hear about how the work is progressing before the official opening in September.




Images: sketches and prototypes of the designs so far showing the colour palette, window coverings and some furnishings.  Detailed articles on all products will come as production gets underway.

Add to favorites