Extend the tune

Abstract

The municipality of The Hague is currently redeveloping Binckhorst from industrial area to a high-rise mixed function area. The drastic redevelopment of this area is causing the loss of numerous reuseable materials and buildings. This is worrisome, given the need to improve the sustainability of the building sector. To prevent the destruction in Binckhorst from repeating in future, a strategy is needed that allows easier transformation of the area and buildings to meet the demands of future stakeholders. In addition, there ought to be dynamic and diverse functions to make the area more lively to attract more attention and care. Applying the flexible building strategy offers a possible solution, as it aims to extend the life of a building through its adaptability, and adding a public performance space in Binckhorst will broaden the dynamics of the area, by introducing entertainment as a function. However, the use of this strategy in music halls has been limited, as there are special requirements for structure, space and materials in order for these spaces to perform well. Moreover, the overarching characteristic of today’s flexible buildings is that they are nondescript in their architectural appearance and usage. This poses a challenge, as a building must have a certain appeal, to prevent future demolition.

Therefore the question is posed: “How to design a music venue that is flexible and has a unique identity?”

This project will research the current implementation of the strategy and its flaws, from this a toolbox will be created. Research from different fields of science is conducted to understand the design principles of an iconic building. Last, flexibility of the music function is analysed through case studies. These three researches combined will form the parameters to design an iconic and tuneable performance venue, demonstrating that the flexible building strategy can perform with a demanding function, and still have character.