Planning permit application submitted for the renovation of the Palace of Justice in The Hague (NL).

The Consortium PVJ, consisting of Nudus, HUB architecten, ABT, and Karres en Brands has submitted the planning permit application for the large-scale renovation and expansion of the Palace of Justice in The Hague. The existing complex, spanning approximately 80,000 m² along the Utrechtsebaan, comprises the modernist Sevenhuijsen buildings from the 1970s (P1 low-rise and P1 high-rise) and the P2 high-rise from the 1990s by architect Van Vugt. The project’s core principle is not demolition and replacement, but rather maximum preservation and reuse, resulting in new-build quality. The entire complex will undergo a radical transformation while court proceedings continue during construction. By choosing this explicit circular course, the Central Government Real Estate Agency (RVB) has set the bar exceptionally high.

Maximum reuse of facades and materials
The design team is building upon this ambition. All existing facade glass, the wooden window frames of the P1 low-rise, and the natural stone from all three building sections will be fully reused in the new interventions. Available materials serve as the starting point for the design; value is created through the reinterpretation of the existing. This strategy establishes the project as a leading example of circular construction within the government’s real estate portfolio.

Interior: a continuation of Sevenhuijsen’s architecture
Preservation is also central to the interior. The raw gravel concrete floors from the 70s will be polished to create a rich terrazzo appearance, wooden panels will be repurposed, and the characteristic glass blocks will return to the design. Circularity is the foundational design strategy. Architecturally, the team builds on the idiom of Sevenhuijsen, the Government Buildings Agency architect who laid the foundation for the original 1970s design.

A healthy work environment connected to the outdoors
In addition to reuse, user well-being is a primary focus. The design strengthens the connection to the outdoors, natural light, and the seasons. The P2 offices will be upgraded by further opening up the facade. On the roof of the P1 low-rise, a generous garden will be added, directly accessible from the restaurant. A contemporary interpretation of the classic peristylium will be introduced here: a covered outdoor route that organizes user flows to the correct vertical cores. This provides magistrates with a safe, pleasant route to the courtrooms. The peristylium offers protection from the wind, ensures privacy, and ensures that users experience natural light and fresh air several times during their workday.

Anchored in a Green Urban Network
The complex will be connected to the city in a renewed, green manner. Following the future decking over of the A12 motorway, a green forecourt has been designed to enhance the entrance's public character. Two pocket parks flank the main entrance, while a green buffer is created along the Juliana van Stolberglaan, and the tree structure at the Theresiastraat is extended to the Prins Clauslaan. The roofs of the P1 low-rise will feature green roofs alongside the intensive roof garden and peristylium. Together, the robust ground level and lush roof gardens express the inviting, public, and sustainable character of the renewed Palace of Justice.  

Current Status: The team is currently finalizing the phased technical design. The project is expected to go to tender in mid-2027, with the ambition—together with the Central Government Real Estate Agency and the future contractor—to realize a pioneering example of circular government real estate.