Museum Paleis Het Loo

Paleis Het Loo was initially constructed in 1686 on the outskirts of Apeldoorn. The property's extensive forest grounds and adequate underground water pressure created ideal conditions for a baroque symmetry of lush gardens punctuated with numerous water features and a monumental palace at its centre. The entire extension is placed underground. An integrated part of the architecture is the new water feature through which daylight falls into the Grand Foyer, continuing the tradition of the overall composition without disrupting the historical image.

The clients wished for a ‘royal architectural intervention that could carry the palace’ and would organise circulation and supporting functions. Besides connecting the monument and the new architecture across multiple height differences, the design involved complex excavation in a heritage site with water-saturated soil, as well as the challenge of bringing in daylight and creating an accessible descent. The concept is deeply rooted in the rich history of the palace, its gardens, and waterworks. Dutch regent William of Orange married Mary Stuart, and when no heir was found to succeed the British crown, the pair became the Protestant rulers of the North, in contrast to the French Catholic Louis XIV — hence the wish for a Versailles of the North. The new pond in front of the palace continues this narrative. Many features and the symmetrical geometry are mirrored in the new design. The floor plan of the underground level is reflected in the new exhibition halls, shop, and grand foyer. Decorative elements of the doors and furnitures are based on the ‘leaf of the orange tree’, symbol of the royal house, appearing in single, double, and quadruple forms — as leaf, butterfly, and flower — again referencing the garden.

Throughout the new design, materials and details, such as upper door panels, specially woven fabrics, patterns, and the windrose, reflect the monument in a contemporary way. All materials were chosen for durability under intensive use and applied with great craftsmanship. Even wood from old oaks on the estate, lost to continuous drought followed by heavy rain, has been reused for restaurant floors and furniture throughout the museum and offices. Technically, the project, including the monument, is now fully upgraded to meet high climate goals: restored windows have extra glazing for insulation and security, and a complex climate system meets museum standards. Great effort and craftsmanship made the project possible. From traditional stone and wood masonry to new construction methods for the underground pit including underwater concrete, CSM (Concrete Soil Mix) for temporary walls, injected jet grout walls to support heritage wings, and Basilique, a concrete healing agent that reduced cement use by 30–40%, every step was carefully considered. In addition, water infiltration and detention systems were integrated to manage and retain rainwater.