The Postpark: a new piece of nature for humans and animals in the HS Quarter, The Hague
The transformation of the monumental Station Post Office building and the creation of the new Postpark mark the initial significant steps of urban redevelopment in the HS Quarter of The Hague. They set the tone for how greening efforts can be radical, benefiting humans, animals, the climate, and the economy.
The former industrial and harbour area of Laakhavens is evolving over the coming years into an attractive residential and business district. The HS Quarter, situated around Hollands Spoor station, is part of this development. Furthermore, the new HS Quarter, as one of the three poles of the Central Innovation District (CID), will contribute to economic growth both locally and beyond. The development of the HS Quarter stimulates not only the area surrounding Hollands Spoor station but also enhances connectivity with The Hague city center. The area is being densified with a mixed urban program spanning 230,000m2, encompassing numerous residences, offices, educational facilities, student housing, hotels, cultural venues, restaurants, and shops.
Alongside densification, the area development focuses on greening and creating a pleasant living environment for humans and animals. The redesigned public spaces will feature appealing new walking and cycling routes, alongside the introduction of innovative mobility concepts. The viaduct of Waldorpstraat will be demolished, and the stony city street will be transformed into a green, climate-adaptive boulevard. Five new towers surrounding Hollands Spoor station will accommodate the program and enrich The Hague’s skyline.
The staggering of volumes creates a varied streetscape with lively open spaces at and just above ground level. The stepped volumes provide space for accessible green rooftop gardens, seamlessly blending the ground level into an engaging and active rooftop landscape. The buildings cater to human scale while introducing intriguing and feasible greenery. On the Laakhaven side of Hollands Spoor station, a beautiful, green urban entrance is emerging, resembling a linear city park. The future station square will be the heart of the new park.
An expansive, stony parking lot in one of The Hague’s busiest streets has now given way to DELVA’s Postpark, a new park with high biodiversity value and a fresh, inviting space for humans and animals alike. By planting a multitude of trees, we’ve tailored the park’s scale to human dimensions. Visitors are immersed in greenery, with buildings receding into the background. The trees consist mostly of native species, such as moss oaks, hornbeams, and rowans, planted in a variety of shapes and sizes. The herbaceous layer predominantly exudes a natural ambiance, with plant species selected for their leaf structure, resulting in a rich and diverse palette of various perennial plants, creating a beautiful blend of green foliage. Nature makes a powerful statement and is given the space to play its role within the urban context. Water infiltration and a varied mix of greenery make this urban area more resilient to climate change. Already, the Postpark is a place that stays five degrees cooler than its surroundings on summer days.
Architecture offices involved in the design: DELVA, KCAP en Kraaijvanger
Location: Waldorpstraat 3, 2521 CA Den Haag
Design year: 2020
Year Completed: 2022
