Dag van de Architectuur Den Haag 2011
Day of Architecture The Hague 2011
Do-It-Yourself: The Self-Invented City
Date: Saturday, 25 June, 2011, 10:30 hrs – 18:30 hrs
Main location: City Office Leyweg, Leyweg 809
Final program: From 16:30 hrs at the Do-It-Yourself Café by Denis Oudendijk
The Hague looks so orderly—everything seems pre-planned and not very surprising. But if you look closely, you’ll recognize individual initiative in mobile offices, custom-designed rooftop extensions, cat staircases on balconies, alternative parking solutions, and imaginative garden designs. This year, the Day of Architecture celebrates "the self-invented city", showcasing how residents make the city their own. Various buildings that were built or renovated on the initiative of residents or users will be open to the public. Visitors can also take part in bike tours and a final event in the new city office in the South West, where the day’s activities are concentrated.
Visitors who want to discover a different side of The Hague South West can join a DIY bike tour. Graphic designers Peter Zuiderwijk and Maurice de Bruijn will lead the "There, I Fixed It" bike tour past resident improvisations—solutions born from practical needs, unconcerned with aesthetics, and often showing great creativity in material choices and language use. Den Haag Archiguides will offer a special DIY building tour with a focus on architecture; Gertjan Giele and Eit Hasker—both closely involved in the restructuring of The Hague South West—will reveal the larger urban context.
All tours start at the new city office designed by Rudy Uytenhaak, which will serve as the information center for the event. Program booklets will also be available here, and at 4:30 PM the Closing Event will take place. This will be held in the Do-It-Yourself Café built by Denis Oudendijk (Refunc) in the foyer. At the bar, Paul Cornelissen (Theater Dakota) will host alderman Marnix Norder (Urban Development, Housing, and Integration), architect Rudy Uytenhaak, cultural entrepreneur Tony Boxman (Villa Escamp), and architect Terry van der Heide (initiator of the 10th Day of Architecture film, which will be screened that day).
The best idea for the city is, of course, the one you come up with yourself. Even scribbled on the back of a beer coaster, if necessary. In just a few lines or words, you can show how You Would Do It Yourself. During the Day, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to share your ideas. The most inspiring ones will be showcased during the afternoon Closing Event.
The Hague’s Day of Architecture is organized by the Stichting Dag van de Architectuur Den Haag in collaboration with BNA Kring Haaglanden, the Municipality of The Hague, Bouwfonds Ontwikkeling, Stroom Den Haag, and the Haags Architectuurcafé (HaAC).
The Day of Architecture The Hague is made possible with support from: Municipality of The Hague, Bouwfonds Ontwikkeling, Haaglanden Urban Region, Dutch Architecture Fund, Staedion, Vestia, Dura Vermeer, Ballast Nedam, TVDH Architects.