Unveiling the stunning new design for Museum Paleis Het Loo by KAAN Architecten - Prepare to be amazed!

SIMON MENGESADD TO COLLECTION

The stunning Museum Paleis Het Loo, located on the outskirts of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, has undergone an impressive renovation and extension project, completed by KAAN Architecten. The ambitious project involved the careful restoration of the palace, meticulous asbestos removal, and the addition of over 5000 square metres of new facilities and spaces. The result is a transformed Paleis Het Loo that radiates grandeur and pays homage to its historic surroundings.

Originally constructed in 1686 as a royal hunting palace for King William III and Queen Mary, the property's ample forest grounds and necessary underground water pressure created ideal conditions for a baroque composition of lush gardens punctuated with numerous water features and a monumental palace at its base. KAAN Architecten's intervention draws from this inextricable connection between architecture and the landscape.

The new extension is placed underground, and the new water feature is integrated as part of the architecture, continuing the tradition of the overall composition without disrupting the historical image. Nestled between the palace wings lies the Bassecour, formerly a courtyard with grass parterres and a water trough for horses. Today, it has been transformed into a stunning space with a central fountain and four glass surfaces, paying homage to the waterworks in the historic gardens.

Rather than creating a prominent entrance that could encroach on the open Bassecour, the entry points have been positioned at the ends of the palace wings. Visitors are guided down to the light-filled balcony, which hosts all necessary visitor facilities and leads into the Grand Foyer, the central hub of the underground extension.

Stretching along the central axis, the Grand Foyer forges a twofold connection with the historic building. Physically, the old and new sections of the palace share a common foundation through a vaulted stairway. Visually, one can behold the palace by gazing upward through the glass roof of the Bassecour ponds.

The underground extension keeps the symmetrical logic of the baroque composition and the palace's Corps de Logis as the basic floor plan. In the original layout, the vestibule boasts a central staircase and adjoining rooms designated for an audience with the king. This principle is maintained in the extension, where the Grand Foyer, flanked by exhibition halls, connects with the stairway to the palace.

As part of the intervention, the historic building was carefully restored to improve the technology and climate control systems and provide better amenities for visitors. A new staircase was added leading to the roof of the Corps de Logis, offering unprecedented views of the grounds. Additionally, the palace wings underwent significant renovations to accommodate new exhibition spaces, while the old ballroom adjacent to the west wing was transformed into a restaurant.

Although its architectural expression is restrained and elegant, the new building befits the grandeur and imagination associated with the term palace. Special focus was put on the finish of the stairs, floors and walls, which blend in pattern and material. Subtle textures are layered through alternating sandblasted, honed and polished marble, playfully brought to life by the reflection of natural light through the pond. Set against the white of the veined marble is the warmth of the walnut applied on the doors, wherever one makes the transition to a new spatial experience.

The wood pattern represents a single orange blossom leaf, or flowers and butterflies when multiplied, in reference to the gardens and their symmetrical graphic. This pattern can also be found on the door handles, in various pieces of furniture and in the wall tapestries of the restaurant. These opulent fabrics are interwoven with metallic threads, adding a shimmer to the walls as a nod to the ornate halls of the Corps de Logis.

Overall, the renovation and extension of Museum Paleis Het Loo is an impressive achievement by KAAN Architect

    PHOTOS BY SIMON MENGES, SEBASTIAN VAN DAMME