Universe | The Hague

A modern government office building with a blend of brick and light-colored stone facade. The entrance features a large glass revolving door with the Dutch government emblem and an adjacent glass-walled lobby. Employees and visitors walk in and out, while bicycles are parked nearby. The foreground showcases a landscaped area with greenery and flowers, promoting a sustainable and welcoming atmosphere.

A bright and spacious office atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing ample natural light. The space is filled with lush greenery, including large potted plants and hanging planters. Employees and visitors engage in various activities—working on laptops, conversing at tables, and ordering coffee from a barista at a café counter. The ceiling features wooden slats, and brick walls blend with modern furnishings, creating a biophilic and inviting atmosphere.

A spacious, light-filled atrium in a sustainable office environment, featuring lush greenery, including trees and ferns. Employees and visitors engage in casual conversations, work at tables, and walk through the space. A large staircase leads to an upper level with offices, visible through glass partitions in a repurposed brick structure. Sunlight filters through the ceiling’s wooden slats, and a green wall enhances the biophilic atmosphere, creating a dynamic yet calming workplace.

A spacious atrium in De Universe, a transformed government office in The Hague, designed with biophilic and circular principles. The space is filled with lush greenery, including tropical plants and trees, enhancing air quality and well-being. Natural light enters through large windows, complementing the warm wood finishes and open seating areas where employees work, read, and socialize. The layout encourages a connection to nature while supporting flexible and collaborative work environments.

A sequence of four architectural diagrams illustrating the biophilic design strategy for De Universe’s central atrium. The diagrams depict the evolution of spatial planning, highlighting the integration of greenery, optimized circulation, and wayfinding. Dark green shading represents areas enriched with vegetation, while arrows indicate movement flows, and circles emphasize key focal points for user interaction.

Category

Interior Garden Design

Client: Rijksvastgoedbedrijf

Location: Den Haag

Design Year: 2024-2025

Installation Year: 2027

Project: Biophilic design in the interior

Construction: JP van Eesteren

Architect: architectenbureau cepezed

Green architect:Makers of Sustainable Spaces

Parties involved: Respace Nelissen ingenieursbureau A. de Jong Installatietechniek B.V. Smits van Burgst Beveiliging TheNewMakers SWINN B.V. Adex Groep

___________
De Universe is a government office transformation in The Hague, Netherlands, designed to create a healthier and more sustainable workplace for employees. MOSS’s approach incorporates greenery, natural light, and circular design principles to contribute to the well-being of employees and visitors, as well as reduce environmental impact!

–

A key feature of the project is the central atrium—a double-height space filled with trees and vegetation. This space helps encourage a connection to nature within the building, offering a more inviting atmosphere for employees. By integrating biophilic elements, the design creates a more comfortable and engaging work environment.

–

Designed to meet Paris Proof standards, the project prioritizes new lighting, demand-driven air treatment, and improved insulation, all of which contribute to reducing overall energy consumption and reliance on external energy sources.

–

De Universe demonstrates how integrating nature and sustainability into workplace design can support well-being and environmental goals, creating a more adaptable and comfortable space for its users.

___________

Press: