Extension for Paleis Het Loo opens for visitors in Apeldoorn

Paleis Het Loo, a baroque hunting palace on the outskirts of Apeldoorn, has undergone an ambitious transformation designed by Tenderstream member KAAN Architecten. The procurement notice – first published on Tenderstream back in 2015 – requested firms to refurbish the existing museum, together with the creation of a new underground extension. Now complete, the upgraded palace and its 5000 sq m addition will open to the public this April.

Seamlessly integrated into the existing site, the underground extension incorporates a new water feature in order to maintain the site’s baroque composition and lush gardens. The Bassecour, a courtyard between the palace wings, has been transformed with a central fountain with glass surfaces adorned by natural stone and flowing water. Serving as the roof of the new extension, the shallow ponds reflect the palace and allow daylight to filter through. 

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 extension's central hub. The foyer connects visually with the historic building through a glass roof, while a large wind rose in the floor indicates the central spot and offers visitors different directions to explore. 

Facilities include 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 system, while a new staircase was added to provide panoramic views of the grounds. 

The finishes in the new building are designed to be elegant and restrained, with harmoniously blended textures and materials. Walnut wood, marble with alternating sandblasted, honed, and polished surfaces, and opulent fabrics with metallic threads are used throughout, referencing the gardens and ornate halls of the original palace.

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 26.10.2015 here

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