Paleis Het Loo, a baroque hunting palace on the outskirts of Apeldoorn, has undergone an ambitious transformation involving the addition of over 5000 square metres of new facilities and spaces, a careful restoration of the palace, and a meticulous asbestos removal process. Seamlessly integrated into the existing site, the extension is placed underground and a new water feature was incorporated as part of the design, maintaining the baroque composition of lush gardens and water elements. The Bassecour, a courtyard between the palace wings, has been transformed into a stunning space with a central fountain and glass surfaces adorned with natural stone and flowing water, reminiscent of the historic gardens. Serving as the roof of the new extension, the shallow ponds reflect the palace and allow daylight to filter through, creating a brilliant effect. Located at the ends of the palace wings, entry pavilions lead visitors down to the light-filled balcony and into the Grand Foyer, which serves as the central hub of the extension.The Grand Foyer maintains the symmetry of the baroque composition and connects visually with the historic building through a glass roof, while a large wind rose in the floor indicates the center of the extension and offers visitors different directions to explore. The extension features exhibition halls, a museum for children, and a permanent exhibition on the history of the Dutch royal family. As part of the intervention, the historic building underwent careful restoration to improve technology and climate control systems, and a new staircase was added to provide panoramic views of the grounds. The finishes in the new building are elegant and restrained, with textures and materials blending harmoniously. Walnut wood, marble with alternating sandblasted, honed, and polished surfaces, and opulent fabrics with metallic threads are used throughout, referencing the gardens and the ornate halls of the original palace.
Status: Built
Location: Apeldoorn, NL
Firm Role: Architectural design, Interior design, Renovation, Furniture design
Additional Credits: Architect: KAAN Architecten (Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, Dikkie Scipio)
Project team: Valentina Bencic, Dennis Bruijn, Javier Cuartero, Sebastian van Damme, Katarzyna Ephraim, Paolo Faleschini, Christiaan Frankin, Michael Geensen, Aleksandra Gojnic, Julia Gousset, Narine Gyulkhasyan, Niels de Hart, Joost Harteveld, Walter Hoogerwerf, Martine Huijsmans, Antony Laurijsen, Nicki van Loon, Loes Martens, Marija Mateljan, Edyta Milczarek, Laura Ospina, Floris Sikkel, Christian Sluijmer, Niels Vernooij, Roel Wijmans, Samara Zukoski
Client: Stichting Paleis Het Loo Nationaal Museum, Apeldoorn
Restauration advisor: Van Hoogevest Architecten, Amersfoort / KAAN Architecten, Rotterdam
Exhibition designer (House of Orange): Kossmanndejong, Amsterdam
Exhibition concept & art direction (Junior palace): GrobEnzo, Amsterdam
Interior architect (furniture): KAAN Architecten, Rotterdam
Interior architect (restaurant): Studio Linse, Amsterdam
Wall tapestries (restaurant): TextielLab, Tilburg / KAAN Architecten, Rotterdam
Light fixtures (entry pavilions): Atelier Rick Tegelaar, Arnhem
General contractor: Volker Staal en Funderingen, Dordrecht / Koninklijke Woudenberg, Ameide / BAM Bouw en Techniek - Integrale Projecten Oost, Apeldoorn / Heijmans Utiliteit/Infra, Apeldoorn / Draisma bouw, Apeldoorn / Bouwbedrijf Van Laar, Wapenveld
Construction manager: Draaijer en partners, Utrecht
Structural engineer: WSP Nederland, Breda
MEP engineer (mechanical, electrical, plumbing): Valstar Simonis, The Hague
Sustainability advisor: DGMR, The Hague
Quality manager: KAAN Architecten, Rotterdam
Geotechnics advisor: WSP Nederland, Breda
Building physics engineer: DGMR, The Hague
Fire safety engineer: DGMR, The Hague
Acoustics advisor: DGMR, The Hague
Financial advisor: IGG bouweconomie, The Hague / Basalt bouwadvies, Houten
Landscape designer: Copijn, Utrecht
Lighting advisor: Beersnielsen lichtontwerpers, Rotterdam
Glass roof: IGS Interior Glass Solutions, Veenendaal
Waterproofing: Oranjedak, Zwijndrecht
Exterior fixtures: Zumtobel, Amsterdam
Metal works: Ensel staalkonstrukties, Dokkum
Wooden doors and windows: Harryvan, Hoogezand
Internal doors and windows: Harryvan, Hoogezand / Zuid-Nederlandse Ramenfabriek, Rucphen
Wall tiling: KOLEN Keramiek en Natuursteen, Eindhoven
Natural stone: KOLEN Keramiek en Natuursteen, Eindhoven
Parquet floor: Michels Parketvloeren, Wijchen
Interior walls: Schuurmans Afbouwsystemen, Vught
Ceilings: Schuurmans Afbouwsystemen, Vught
Climatized ceilings: MAT Groep, Zaltbommel
Painting and wall coverings: Schuurmans Afbouwsystemen, Vught
Elevators: Lakeman Liften, Katwijk aan Zee / Euroliften, Aalsmeer
Signage: Studio Staak, Amsterdam
