The Hague - Den Haag

March 25, 2010 12:29 PM | Related Categories: Travel,Architecture

The Hague - Den Haag

Interesting to compare modern architecture in cities like The Hague, indeed most european cities that I know, with Switzerland. The style in Switzerland is restrained but impressive in it's own way, and, I think, when examined at the human level has more to offer us who have to live in the built environment. Eye-catching although it is, and a godsend for photographers I suppose, I get tired of this relentless ostentation - a seemingly endless competition between architects to produce building whose main aim appears to be to say "look at me".

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100% Agreed with your comment. But then perhaps architects are merely reflecting our obsessions with that in all the rest of our lives...
# Posted By Sean | 3/25/10 11:43 AM
Hi Sean - you mean we get the buildings we deserve?
# Posted By Richard | 3/25/10 12:01 PM
That seems a bit harsh but I guess ultimately as a form of art it is reflective of what is going on in our society, and architects, like the rest of us are not immune to insecurities that fuel our quest for bigger, better, and more of the "look at me"!

Interestingly you say "Switzerland is restrained but impressive in it's own way, and, I think, when examined at the human level has more to offer us who have to live in the built environment." I also agree with that comment and find Switzerland does have more to offer. But I am not sure how long this will last, and when I read about the fascination and obsession with the "Prime Tower" and how many floors it has/will have, I think that Switzerland is succumbing to the trappings of every where else. What is your view on the Prime Tower BTW?

How long do you think it will be before an address on the highest floor of Prime Tower is more fashionable or expensive than Paradeplatz - or has it happened already? Understated elegance is fast becoming a thing of the past I think.
# Posted By Sean | 3/25/10 2:18 PM
Hi Sean - interesting thoughts. I conveniently omitted the Prime Tower from the discussion - not intentionally - but now that I think about it, it draws attention to the erosion of some other things I admire about Switzerland, where it can be seen moving slowly in the same direction oas other countries. Closing of local speciality shops for example, the move to out of town shopping centres, although not on the scale of UK for example, and the degeneration of Bahnhofstrasse, at least at it's lower end, near the station. I probably need to have a think about this and produce another post
# Posted By Richard | 3/25/10 6:47 PM
Bet you they are all designed by men.
Just sayin'
# Posted By freefalling | 3/29/10 11:37 AM
FF: Firm who designed the Prime Tower: Annette Gigon / Mike Guyer... :)
# Posted By Sean | 3/29/10 1:07 PM
Sean - Prime Tower may be proving FF's point. It's not finished yet, and though it would appear to have some degree of ostentation, certainly not on the same level as the frivolities on show elsewhere. I guess I need to do a post on the Prime Tower - or at least to document it's construction which is interesting in itself
# Posted By richard | 3/29/10 1:29 PM
FF - you're not suggesting that men are more concerned with empty flamboyant gestures and self promotion, whereas women are more practical, are you?
# Posted By richard | 3/29/10 1:35 PM
Ok so I have to admit that I would be very curious to know who oversaw Prime Tower, Gigon or Guyer? When I read your comment Richard I realised how right you may be.... I may be mistaken but then I dont believe there were/are any femal architects in The Hague project... or many others which you might classify similarly for that matter. However I think that it is a mistake to think of this as a male issue considering likely much of Old Zurich was designed by males, and therefore the "trend" is a societal one rather than one of gender.

FF: Lots of changes happening to Men around the world... perhaps we will refer to this as "The Emmancipation Period" in years to come?
# Posted By Sean | 3/29/10 2:55 PM
Sorry meant to say, it may well be true and the fact that I dont believe there were any female architects in The Hague will highlight that fact. However fact remains it is a little simplistic of "The Emancipation Period" IMHO!
# Posted By Sean | 3/29/10 2:57 PM
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