Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Palace Het Loo served for centuries as the summer residence of the Dutch stadholders, kings and queens and is now a popular museum. For the past four years, the palace has been undergoing extensive renovation, with an important task for Draisma Bouw. This Apeldoorn-based construction company is responsible for the transformation of the Prins Hendrik Garage into a Grand Café and the former stables complex into an event space, in accordance with the architectural design of Architectenbureau Prent and with respect for the buildings' National Monument value. In addition, Draisma Bouw is responsible for the renovation of the West Wing, to a design by KAAN Architects, which will be completed later this year.
Draisma Bouw delivered the transformation of the former National Monumental Stables complex to Paleis Het Loo in early April. "In just five months, we transformed the first floor of the north wing (Stable 1) into a reception area for large(er) groups, including a large kitchen, rinse kitchen with space for refrigeration and freezer cells, storage space for the facilities depot and toilet facilities," says Laura Bredenhof, work planner/calculator at Draisma Bouw. "The newly installed elements such as walls, floors and mezzanines are 'reversible'. Because of this, and by respecting the contours of the former stables complex, it is possible to transform the building back into stables or another use in the future. It also preserves the building's rich history to the maximum extent possible."
Draisma Bouw carried out the work in a construction team with Paleis Het Loo, architect, consultants and installation parties. "In November 2021, we started work on the realization of the main kitchen, mezzanines and rinse kitchen," Bredenhof says. "The space where the main kitchen is now realized concerns a former car wash where museum cars of the royal family were displayed. Above this kitchen we realized a technical room, where all the technical installations of the kitchen are set up. At the site of the facilities depot, we also added a mezzanine floor, so that useful storage space is not sacrificed." Some of the stables, which used to house the horses and now house the sink kitchen, also provide space for refrigeration and freezer units. "The stable parts and doors that had to be dismantled for this purpose were carefully dismantled and stored by Paleis Het Loo for possible reinstallation in the future. However, as many parts as possible have been retained, so that even in the rinse kitchen you experience the experience of the stables."
The horse stables are also prominent in the group reception area. "Seats have been created between the stable partitions and decorated in a stylish and modern way. This really gives visitors the feeling of being in a royal stable complex."
Currently, the construction company is busy transforming the West Wing, which has had a variety of functions. Once built as a stables complex, in 2018 the wing housed a reception area, checkroom, restrooms, small kitchen and ballroom for groups of guests, among other things. In the new situation, the wing will have a function as a restaurant, restoring the old and prized ballroom. "To make this possible, structural components from the 1980s have been removed from the building. A good example of this is the amalgamation of the reinforced concrete walls and storey floors," says Robert van de Pol, unit leader of restoration at Draisma Bouw. "The area behind the garden wall - which was previously roofed over - has been incorporated into the interior space and is being converted into a kitchen, including space for refrigeration and freezer units."
The new ballroom should emphasize the monumental character of Palace Het Loo in material and color, Van de Pol says. "But with a modern twist. For example, just like in the old ballroom, we are installing paneling, equipped with upholstery. The oak trees in front of the palace that were cut down will be made into richly decorated floors. The old windows remain in sight and will be trimmed in such a way that the monumental parts receive maximum attention."
Back in 2020, Draisma Bouw revitalized the national monumental Prins Hendrik Garage from a former teahouse to a luxury Grand Café including its own kitchen and terrace. Here too, the monumental character of the building was left intact.
