Ontworpen voor de Overheid

commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'. On this page we show projects designed for the Dutch Government (the state, ministries, provinces and municipalities) and government services (such as the Belasting-
dienst, the Nederlandsche Bank and till 1989 the Dutch PTT). 

commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'. On this page we show projects designed for the German Government (the state, ministries, provinces and municipalities) and government services.

will focus on Den Haag - Rome. Then we will ask designers and architects to send in projects which are designed for the Italian Government and government services, which will be placed on this page.

The Government is an important commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'.

will focus on Den Haag - Paris. Then we will ask designers and architects to send in projects which are designed for the French Government and government services, which will be placed on this page.

The Government is an important commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'.

will focus on Den Haag - London. Then we will ask designers and architects to send in projects which are designed for the English Government and government services, which will be placed on this page.

The Government is an important commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'.

will focus on Den Haag - Stockholm. Then we will ask designers and architects to send in projects which are designed for the Swedish Government and government services, which will be placed on this page.

The Government is an important commissioner for the creative sector in the field of public design, architecture and visual communication. Public squares, bridges, parks, housing of governmental organizations, the police identity and the design of political campaigns are examples of projects 'Designed for the Government'.

 

to send in projects to info@designdenhaag.eu which are commissioned by the German Government. Look here for the requirements.

to send in projects to info@designdenhaag.eu which are commissioned by the Dutch Government. Look here for the requirements in Dutch or in English.

Client: Senate of Berlin
Design: Fuenfwerken Design AG
www.fuenfwerken.com

In June 2009, eight new highway signs with the traid claim »be city, be change, be berlin« have been installed along the borders of the Federal State of Berlin; they welcome the travellers and, when leaving the Capital city, say »good-bye« in the design of the Berlin image campaign.

Client: Senate of Berlin
Design: Fuenfwerken Design AG
Typeface: Alessio Leonardi
www.be.berlin.de
www.fuenfwerken.com

In 2008, the Berlin Senate decided on a new brand positioning concluding in a three-category open competition which Fuenfwerken won in the category of design. Initially, the 'Berlin', campaign was internally focused, in order to strengthen the identification of citizens, businesses and institutions with the city. The second stage took an international approach and is still ongoing.

Client: Senate of Berlin
Design: Fuenfwerken Design AG
www.be.berlin.de
www.fuenfwerken.com

The new Berlin logo combines the “be” element with the established word and figurative mark of the Berlin federal state (Design: Metadesign). New logo and a new typeface (BMF Change Sans) are incorporated in the official corporate identity of the Senate of Berlin.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Hubert Jan Henket
www.henket.nl

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Z. Zavrel (Atelier Z Architecten)
www.deroonvanes.nl

Client: Dutch Council of State
Design: Studio Schrofer
www.studioschrofer.com

In 2004, The Netherlands was elected as the President of the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union. Dutch Vice-President Mr. Tjeenk-Willink commissioned Studio Schrofer from The Hague to create a memorable, stylish and contemporary interior styling for the closing ceremony for the Dutch Council of State. The national colour orange pervaded in all the décor from the flowers to the table. Famous contemporary Dutch poetry was eloquently recited during the course of the evening and glass items  decorated the tables.

Client: Dutch Council of State
Design: Studio Schrofer
www.studioschrofer.com

Practicality, resourcefulness and open-mindedness are known Dutch traits that Vice-President Mr. Tjeenk-Willink wanted to convey in the form of a diplomatic gift when accepting their term as President of the EU Council of State in 2004. The Hague designer, Frans Schrofer created a limited edition of a flower vase, slender water carafes and tumblers. The original text of the 1531 Raad van State constitution was etched upon the surfaces of the vase and carafe. To make the giftware identifiably Dutch, Schrofer minted a silver seal of the contour of Holland and the logo of the Raad van State.

Client: Rijksgebouwendienst
Design: Studio M10 Architecture and Urban Design
www.studio-m10.nl

The TBS hospital (Custodial Clinic) is a large group of buildings, located in a so-called ‘boskamer’ on the
edge of a residential area in Almere-Buiten. In derogation from custodial institutions realised so far, the TBS hospital in Almere has an extremely open character, while maintaining the required security. By applying special combinations of glass constructions and trelliswork, a traditionally closed appearance has been avoided.

Client: Municipality De Wolden, Utrecht, Zuidplas, Sluis
Design: Oranja, Vormgevers Associatie, municipality Sluis
www.dewolden.nl
www.utrecht.nl
zuidplasactief.nl
www.gemeentesluis.nl

Client: Municipality Maasdriel, Zaanstad, Roermond, Horst aan de Maas
Design: The Cre8ion Lab, Teldesign, Graphics Etc, Aquaster
www.maasdriel.nl
www.zaanstad.nl
www.roermond.nl
www.horstaandemaas.nl

Client: German Bundestag
Design: Büro Uebele
www.uebele.com

The graphic design studio Uebele won the pitch to redesign the corporate identity of the German Bundestag. Eversince the Reichsadler is the German symbol and can be found on all kind of print work. Until now all 2-dimensional illustrations of the Bundesadler were abstractions of the 3-dimensional relief by Ludwig Gies in 1953. The new Reichadler is now simplified for easier printing.

Client: German Bundesbank
Design: Reinhold Gerstetter
www.bundesbank.de

The 4th edition of the German notes, the 'Deutsche Mark' was printed in 1989. The front side of the bills intentionally alternated between women and men. The back side displays the person’s work field (literature, music, science, humanities). The series was designed by Reinhold Gerstetter who was chief graphic designer at the German Printery (Bundesdruckerei).

Client: Bundesregierung
Design: Ludwig Goller
www.1komma5liter.blogspot.com

In 1925 the Siemens engineer Ludwig Goller started with the design and norming of DIN 1451 which goes back to a design of 1906 to create a lettertype which is easily read and recognized. Now it is still used on official city, highway, railway and official public signs all over Germany.

Client: German provinces
Design: Heinz Oestergaard
www.sueddeutsche.de

The old bamboo-yellow and mud-green times are over: since 2005 the German provinces are changing their police uniforms. In 1973 Heinz Oestergaard designed the old uniforms consisting of yellow biscuit pants and mint green jackets. Not only because of the design but especially because of the unpractical fabrics, these uniforms are out of fashion and are beeing replaced by the new blue uniforms which are supposed to be europe-wide equal.

Client: Bundesregierung
Design: Karl Peglau
www.bundestag.de

In 1961 the traffic psychologist Karl Peglau designed the Ampelmännchen for the DDR. For educational purposes it gained an identity and was shown in short spots on tv. In this way it defended its place against the West Germany’s traffic signs. Nowadays the figure with the hat has become a mascot for East Germany.

Client: municipality Arnhem
Design: Peter Struycken
www.kunstenpubliekeruimte.nl

Peter Struycken`s Roermondsplein in Arnhem is one of the most well-known examples of art in public space of the 70s and 80s in the Netherlands. The complex intends to build a bridge between the river bank and the old city.

Client: province of Friesland
Design: BCT architecten, ingenieurs en adviseurs
www.bctarchitecten.nl

For 2011 BCT architecten are planning a new police building, housing several different civil and police departments in one complex. It will be located on an island near the A7 in Friesland. The most important department will be the control room, here the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen will control their police, ambulance and fire services.

Client: Municipality The Hague
Design: Archipelontwerpers
www.archipelontwerpers.nl

The pavilion at the Oranjeplein is a design that offers a hiding place for the playing kids while also offering a place to sit for the local staff. The pavilion is located in the midst of a problematic neighbourhood and although there was not much of a budget, the design has got an appearance one can be proud of with a strong self-conscious identity.

Client: Waternet, Amsterdam
Design: Group A
www.groupa.nl

The Booster Station-Zuid is a public utility building which covers a pumping-engine for sluicing out sewage. The location in the public realm asks for a careful design. The building can be seen as a metaphorical reference to a streamlined engine. The clinging, aerodynamic skin is an envelope for the buildings program. With its cladding of stainless steel panels it reflects the movements, shapes and colours of the environment.

Client: Senate Department for Urban Development, Berlin
Designer: Fürcho GmbH
www.fuercho-gmbh.de

In 1999, the government of Berlin, in close co-operation with the concerned boroughs, has defined 15 'areas with special development needs'. In 2001, two more areas have been selected. In order to achieve a lasting improvement of the situation in those areas and to contribute to their stabilization, it was decided to implement a 'Neighborhood Management' in each area.

Client: City of Oldambt
Designer: Groninger Ontwerpers
www.groningerontwerpers.nl

This identity is based on a flexibel grid. In this grid you will find the most important elements of the city, like space, nature, people, water and living. The O shape is based on water rippling. De Blauwe Stad (the blue city) is an important project of the city. The identity is executed in one color only. The flexibel system reflects the diversity of the city and will adapt to its developments and needs in the future.

Client: Gemeente Den Haag
Design: Group A
www.groupa.nl

The concept for the former Caballero factory-site in Den Haag is to stimulate creative and innovative activities amongst the tenants. Cross-fertilization between the various disciplines will be enhanced by linking commercial activity and culture.

Client: Ministry of Justice
Design: Vorm Vijf
www.vormvijf.nl

This campaign was about creating awareness of the risks involved in exporting XTC (hard drugs) to foreign countries. The campaign was held in Den Haag, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The title of the campaign 'Lekker lang zitten / Have a nice long seat' made clear how many years you have to spend in jail in Germany, Spain, Thailand, or the United States when you are caught exporting XTC.

Location: Schwandorf, Germany
Client: Zweckverband Müllverwertung Schwandorf
Design: archimedialab, Bernd Lederle MArch, BA (Hons)
www.archimedialab.com

The task to design a new administration building, reorganize the power station compound and create an acoustic barrier offers the chance to dissolve the dichotomy of landscape and building to realize the deconstruction of those categories into one designed environment, to be experienced in a dynamic and curious fashion.

Location: Amsterdam
Client: GVB, Kunstenaars & Co
Design: Daphne Heemskerk
daphneheemskerk.com

The wall design is a visualization of metro routes in Amsterdam. Images are captured by Street- and Underground Level.The wagon Street Level invites travelers to take a look at the architecture, particularly the facades which have passed underground.The wagon Underground Level registers the travelers during their journey on all metro lines. Various facts about the routes are visualized e.g. travel time,
distance, metro stations and (GPS) coordinates.

Client: Municipality Lelystad
Interior design: Aequo BV Architects
Photo: Stijn Poelstra
www.aequo.nl

Library Lelystad is Europe’s first Department Store of Knowledge. In the design, retail elements are taken from their usual context. This creates a new tension field, revolving around temptation, inspiration and encounters. The library, 3.650 m2 and 3 storeys, is divided into 27 shop-in-shops based on interest profiles each with their own colour and sphere. Through triggering-store communication (windowdummies, mannequins with T-shirts as communication aid, lightboxes and overhead communication) the attraction of the product itself is the central focus.

Client: Ministry of Justice
Design: Vorm Vijf
www.vormvijf.nl

The badge is necessary in order to make extraordinary investigators (for which the Dutch abbreviation is boa) in the Netherlands more recognisable for the public. The badge shows that the person has certain powers of investigation. Boas are authorised, for instance, to ask citizens to identify themselves with an ID card. Boas have a role in ensuring citizens’ safety and combating crime.

Client: Senate Department for Urban Development, Berlin
Design: Fürcho GmbH
www.fuercho-gmbh.de

Non-Verbal (in Berlin many languages are spoken) information on how to act in case of fire. Posters are displayed in multi-storey buildings all over Berlin and free-postcards distributed citywide. The comic is used by fire departments, fire-insurance- and housing companys all over Germany.

Client: Atelier Rijksbouwmeester
Design: Studio Sander Boon
www.sanderboon.nl

Logo, stationary, publications, exhibitions.
The typographic logo refers to the fact that the Chief Government Architect gives his advise to the government in mostly a textual way. The colors blue and red used in the stationary are standing for the serious and clear way of advising and on the other hand the red for the more creative part of the work at the atelier. Together with the white paper the colors refer also to the Dutch flag.

Client: Province Noord-Brabant
Design: Studio Parade + Marloes de Laat en Roel Vaessen
www.studioparade.nl
www.inopdrachtvan.nl

During The Dutch Design Week 2008 the Province of Noord-Brabant exposed projects that focused on topics such as health, culture, design, architecture, infrastructure, environment and technology. They were visualised in 55.000 postcards, connected by a new technique constructed in collaboration with TNO Eindhoven. A selection of the postcards could be sent to friends or family, or addressed to the Province Noord-Brabant to stimulate the debate among and evoke interaction with the visitors of the Dutch Design Week.

Client: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Design: Mieke van den Hende
www.miekevandenhende.nl

The theme of the main targets for primary education in 2006 was "Less rules, more freedom for schools". In the publication this is translated by offering 3 different ways to present the targets: a booklet, a game and a poster. Schools could chose how to get familiar with the targets. Each targetgroup has its own colour, together they are a rainbow; clouds pass by.

Client: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Design: Imagine'
www.imagine.nl
www.discriminatie.nl

'Do you have to hide your true self in order to be accepted?'. This is the central theme of a tv campaign by Postbus 51. The campaign aims to provide a platform for people who feel discriminated against.

Client: SP (Socialist Party)
Design: Thonik
For the Socialist Party, Thonik made a tv commercial in order to get cost reductions for home care on the political agenda. In the commercial an old lady undresses, because her usual home care worker has become too expensive and is replaced by new home care worker upon new home care worker... Causing the lady to say she might as well undress for everyone else in the Netherlands.
www.thonikbyyou.com

Location: Houten
Client: Municipality Houten
Design: JSA (Jeroen schipper Architecten bv)
www.jsa-rotterdam.nl

The installation is located at an archaeological site and represents what is hidden beneath the ground. Like a billboard the site advertises its identity by means of a pixel display: ‘working on history here, as time flies by, irreversibly'. The pixels are three-dimensional, and when passing by, the text becomes an image which shows the vague form of an old Roman dwelling.
A staircase inside the installation leads visitors past reproductions of earlier excavations to a platform with a view of the field and its surroundings.

Client: Municipality Kampen
Design: Kossmann.dejong
www.kossmanndejong.nl

The  Museum of Kampen moved into two former 16th and 19th-century Town Halls. Kampen residents are the central topic in the museumconcept. They create a link between past, present and future, and also between the museum itself and the outside world.

Client: Deutsche Bahn AG
Design: Kurt Weidemann

Client: Deutsche Bahn AG
Design: United Designers (Erik Spiekermann, Christian Schwartz)
www.edenspiekermann.com
www.christianschwartz.com

Between 2003 and 2006, United Designers undertook a major rebranding of Deutsche Bahn (DB), one of Europe's largest companies. Print communication needed to be better coordinated, sub-brands needed to be better integrated, and a strategy for the future had to be mapped out, and a new type family was going to be a cornerstone of this. The complete family includes Serif and Sans for text and display, a special Headline Sans for tight tracking, a secondary serif News face for use in DB's internal newspaper, and an Office Sans for corporate communications.

Location: Hennigsdorf
Client: Stadt Hennigsdorf
Design: Sauerbruch Hutton
www.sauerbruchhutton.de

The upper ring, with its contemporary glass facade, houses the offices. The Citizens' Forum on the ground floor responds to the traditional brick architecture of the area.

Location: Berlin
Client: City Government Berlin
Design: Sauerbruch Hutton
www.sauerbruchhutton.de

In 1999 Sauerbruch Hutton won the first prize in the competition to design a new station housing the police and fire departments for the government district of Berlin. The new station is an extension to a free-standing 19th-century structure. The facade comprises large-scale glass shingles; the reds and greens refer to the heraldic colours of Germany's fire brigade and the police and to the colours of the existing brick structure and the trees.

Client: Province of Noord Brabant
Design: COEN!
www.coen.info

Most important of all in the Dutch province of North-Brabant is the human dimension. For example the well known ´Brabants Kwartiertje´ (Brabant quarter-hour). That doesn’t mean being late for an appointment, it means giving people the attention they deserve. In practice, this subtle watch which is part of a campaign, gives you a moment to focus on what’s really important: time for each other.

Client: Battery Conservancy, NYC
Design: Ben van Berkel
www.unstudio.com

The New Amsterdam Pavilion is a gift from the Netherlands to New York in honor of 400 years of friendship. The Pavilion and street furniture for the surrounding plaza are designed by Ben van Berkel, architect with UNStudio. The pavilion will serve as an attractive gathering place for New Yorkers, commuters and tourists, as well as a tribute to common history and shared values. The Pavilion is situated on Peter Minuit Plaza at the Battery, one of New York’s main intersections.

Client: Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
Design: Fabrique Communication and Design
www.fabrique.nl

The Modular Acoustic Screens programme is one of the measures to reduce noise along the road network.  Fabrique has developed a set of 'building blocks', with uprights and panels. By combining a limited number of standardised, industrially optimised elements, screens are created with various forms and acoustic properties. For example, it is possible to change the angle of incline.

Location: Berlin
Client: Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Design: Foster and Partners
www.fosterandpartners.com

In 1992 the English practice Foster and Partners won the competition to rebuild the Reichstag as one of fourteen non-German practices. They added amongst others a glass dome on the roof, as a gesture to the original 1894 cupola, which helped to make the German Bundestag the most visited parliament in the world. The building uses renewable bio-fuel refined vegetable oil and surplus heat is stored as hot water.

Client: Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Design: Gert Dumbar, Tel Design
www.teldesign.nl

Between 1937 and 1995 the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) were completely financed and exploited by the Dutch government. The logo was designed by Tel Design, founded in 1962 as the first design office in The Netherlands. The logo visualises the track as well as the back and forth movement.

Client: de Rechtspraak
Design: Koeweiden Postma
www.koeweidenpostma.com

In 2001 the House of Representatives decided to split de Rechtspraak (Judiciary and the Supreme Court) from the Ministry of Justice, because the influence of the Ministry on the judiciary became too large. The client asked for a modern, abstract logo without references to classic symbols such as the blinded Lady Justice, the sword and the balance (the symbols used for the Ministry of Justice).

Client: Gemeente Den Haag
Design: Maartje Schuurmans Grafisch Ontwerpen
www.maartjeschuurmans.nl

This brochure informs companies and citizens about the measures that the city of The Hague will take towards future climate changes. To visualize these measures, three-dimensional models where made to reflect The Hague in the year 2010, 2020 and 2050. The complex and unique folding system of this brochure fits the content exactly.

Location: Berlin
Client: Stiftung Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas
Design: Peter Eisenman
www.eisenmanarchitects.com

In 1994 a design competition for a 'Denkmal für die ermordete Juden Europas' was held. The winning design though was rejected. Peter Eisenman's plan emerged as the winner of the second competition in November 1997. In 1999, a large majority of the Bundestag decided in favor of Eisenman's plan.
The monument consists of 2711 concrete blocks that vary in height from 0,2 m to 4,5 meter, placed in a firm grid.

Client: Amsterdam Royal Palace Foundation
Design: Hexaplex with V. van Dam
www.hexaplex.nl

The first website designed for the Amsterdam Royal Palace Foundation. Resulting from a long and successful collaboration with Vanessa van Dam and Marianna van der Zwaag (Head of Cultural Service Amsterdam Royal Palace Foundation). The homepage with all the different images forms the exterior of the palace. The images also create the grid of the site. When you click on an image you enter the palace.

Location: Amsterdam
Client: Stedelijk Beheer Amsterdam
Design: UN Studio
www.unstudio.nl

The tunnel is part of the continuing development of the eastern area of Amsterdam and is situated in the midst of several new building projects. This project consists mainly of two small service buildings. These technical constructions each have a concrete core, enveloped by an asymmetrical skin of perforated steel plates and titlted roof planes.

Client: Bundesregierung
Design: Jürgen Huber, Lisa Eidt and Metadesign
www.metadesign.de

In 1996 a competition was launched for students to design an identity for the Bundesregierung. Two students from the Folkwang-school in Essen won. Together with Meta-Design they finalized the design during their internship which was part of the reward.

Location: Daxinggong Place, Nanjing, China
Client: German government
Design: Markus Heinsdorf
www.markus-heinsdorff.de

Arrangement of a place with different buildings and pavillons for the presentation of Germany in China - a 3-year-project of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. In October 2007 the first Deutschlandpromenade started at the Daxinggong Place in Nanjing in the province of Jiangsu as a german-chinese cultural encounter. In the center of interest stands the public area which is experienced as an overall project because of the artistic-architectural design concept.

Location: Hannover, Germany
Client: Foundation Holland World Fairs
Design: MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

Rotterdam-based architects’ studio MVRDV was asked to design the Dutch entry for the Hanover Expo 2000 World Fair. The result was a square-based tower on a 35 by 35 meter ground plan, conceived as a superposition of stacked Dutch landscapes. The design was intended to envision a sustainable 21st century equilibrium of man, nature, and technology.

Client: Rijkswaterstaat
Design: Ingrid de Pauw e.a.
www.ideal-co.nl

This guardrail is made from sustainably harvested wood. Bouncing back to their original position after a crash, the wooden elements are environmentally friendlier than metal ones, preventing heavy metals from seeping into the groundwater.

Client: Graphic Design Museum and Dutch School for public authorities
Authors: J. van der Spek, P. Frissen, R. Rouw en M. van der Steen

The Dutch State shows its new face. One face, that is: representing the nation in all its territories, it adorns the façades of The Hague’s ministries, government websites, and public servant’s visiting cards. In this study, the Dutch School for Public Administration’s thinktank examined the possibility of such an aesthetic point of departure to inspire a new organisational vision for the State’s public services. The essay can be read
here in Dutch language (pdf)

Client: Ministry of General Affairs
Design: Peter Verheul
www.farhill.nl

With all Dutch ministries having a visual identity of their own, the Council of Ministers decided, as of July 2007, on commissioning a single logotype and a special typeface for all State presentations. The Dutch State’s new typeface was designed by Peter Verheul.

Client: Trade organisation for designers
Location: Palace garden, Den Haag
www.bravvo.nl

Public parks are important for any city’s inhabitants. The Hague boasts lots of green spaces for people to stroll, bike-ride, picnic, and play in. In the spring of 2009, a prize contest was held inviting people to submit ideas for a new Palace Garden. All entries will be shown at City Hall from October 20th through 27th

Client: Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal (Dutch Senate)
Design: Corps
www.corps.com

The logo of the Dutch Senate consists of a coat of arms and the words ‘Eerste Kamer der Staten Generaal’. The letters and colours meet the starting points of the house style; contemporary but
bears in mind the tradition and history of the Senate.

Location: Zaandam
Client: Atelier of the Chief Government Architect
Design: Willem van der Sluis, Customr
www.customr.com
www.rijksbouwmeester.nl

A movable domed sports and recreational venue for illegal refugees held at detention barques in Zaandam. The perforation pattern allows daylight to enter while at the same time hiding the refugees from public view.

Client: PTT
Design: Total Design and Tel Design (later Studio Dumbar)
www.iconenvandepost.nl

At the end of the 1960s, PTT wished to present itself to the outside world as a company at the same time unique, modern and socially and technologically progressive; the firm commisioned two design studios to come up with a new corporate identity. Working independently from one another, in 1972 both studios were ready to submit detailed proposals, which eventually, in 1978, lead to a final and joint design. PTT’s new corporate identity was oficially introduced in 1981 and was in use until the company’s privatisation in 1989.

Location: Shanghai
Client: Ministry of Economics
Design: John Körmeling
www.johnkormeling.nl

Working within the framework of the EU’s tender commissioning phase, the Dutch government’s chief buildings officer, Mels Crouwel, invited six Dutch architects – John Körmeling, UN Studio, West 8, NeutelingsRietdijk, NL Architects, and Marcel Wanders – to submit a concept design for the projected Dutch Pavilion at the Shanghai 2010 World Exposition. John Körmeling’s ‘Happy Street’ concept – a sloping walkway lined with small buildings – was awarded the commission.

Client: De Nederlandsche Bank
Design: Ootje Oxenaar

From 1966 through 1985, Robert Deodaat Emile (Ootje) Oxenaar (1929) worked for the Dutch Central Bank. The lighthouse refers to the long coastline of The Netherlands and the pivotal role shipping has played in the country’s history. In the lighthouse design one can read the names of two friends of Oxenaar’s granddaughters. The watermark shows his girlfriend’s rabbit.

Client: Ministry of Justice
Design: BRS Premsela Vonk

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Service for Buildings Abroad
Design: Erick van Egeraat
Photo: Christian Richters
www.eea-architects.com

The design was intended to evoke ‘traditional Dutch qualities’ such as openness and transparency. Important also was the fact that both the embassy and the ambassador’s residence were to be incorporated into a single building, as well as the notion that the architecture should blend in with the natural and historical surroundings.

Location: Amsterdam
Client: Expatcenter
Design: Fabrique together with Silo
www.fabrique.nl
www.silodesign.nl

With a single desk for expats, the Expatcenter removes barriers and puts Amsterdam back on the map as a hospitable city for employees and their families. From now on, ‘knowledge migrants’ can collect their residence permits, register with the municipality and obtain advice on schools and accommodation at a single location. The use of colour and various patterns in the new developed house style refer to the many corners of the earth from which expats originate.

Client: De Nederlandsche Bank
Design: Bruno Ninaber van Eyben
www.ninaber.nl

As is the case with the guilder coin, the design for the euro coin is based on a stylised silhouette of the Dutch Queen.

Location: Haarlemmermeer
Client: Municipality Haarlemmermeer
Design: Santiago Calatrava
www.calatrava.com

Spanish architect Calatrava designed three striking white suspension cable bridges, each with slanting steel pylons that have both an aesthetic and structural function. After a prize contest organized by the City, the bridges were named ‘Harp’, ‘Zither’, and ‘Lute’.

Client: Gemeente Den Haag
Design: Anton Corbijn
www.corbijn.co.uk

The new logo for the City of Den Haag, the 'International City of Peace and Justice', should evoke freedom; the dunes, a kite, and the Victory Boogie Woogie.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, management accomodation abroad
Design: Claus en Kaan Architects
Photo: Christian Righters
www.clausenkaan.com

Only eleven countries in de world are poorer than Mozambique, and only twelve are richer than The Netherlands. The embassy’s architecture shows a refinement not often seen in a country such as Mozambique, yet, compared with other pavilions, this building was intentionally planned as a low-cost structure (costs: 3,3 million euros).

Client: Municipality Rotterdam
Design: West 8
www.west8.nl

Raised above ground-level, this square offers space to a large wooden bench and four movable 35 meter high geniculated lampposts.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Studio Dumbar
www.studiodumbar.com

Logo, stationary, 2d and 3d applications and interaction design for the Dutch Presidency of the European Union in 2004. The colours refer to the Dutch flag, the Dutch orange and the EU-blue. The 'NL' initials are slightly hidden in the 'E' from 'EU'.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Cepezed
www.cepezed.nl

A COR-TEN steel shell surrounds a Renaissance-style 1929 villa with its extension built some decades later.

Client: City Rotterdam, OntwikkelingsBedrijf Rotterdam (OBR)
Design: Benthem Crouwel Architekten, Meyer en Van Schooten Architecten and West 8 urban design & landscape architecture
www.benthemcrouwel.nl

Client: Amsterdam Partners
Design: Fabrique Communication and Design
www.iamsterdam.com

I amsterdam is the motto for Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Area. The website contains information for visitors, companies and Amsterdam citizens. Users are able to add locations, events and articles to ‘My Amsterdam’, which can be printed as a personal travel guide. Within several months more interactive modules will be added, such as responses to hotels and performances (user generated content).

Location: Den Haag
Client: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
Design: Michael Graves
www.michaelgraves.com

Client: ING real estate
Owner: Ministry of Building and Planning
Design: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
www.kpf.com

Client: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Design: Corps
www.corps.com

The former logo used for the fire brigade did not comply with the tasks of the fire brigade anymore. Besides, there was an uncontrolled growth of logo’s developed by the fire brigade of different area’s. The new logo should: have an energetic look, be immediately recognisable, make clear the coordinating task of the fire brigade, be in line with the logo’s from the Police and the Municipal Health Services and the colours red and gold had to be used.

Location: Den Haag
Client: Ministry of Housing, Spacial Planning and the Environment
Design: Jan Hoogstad
www.hoogstad.com

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Kraaijvanger Urbis
Photo: Christian Richters
www.kraaijvanger.urbis.nl

Client: Municipality of Amsterdam
Design: Eden / Thonik
www.edenspiekermann.com
www.thonik.com

The City of Amsterdam’s logotype shows three Saint Andrew’s crosses – which the city has carried in its coat of arms since the 13th century. Below the crosses are the symbols of each of the City’s districts, departments, and companies.

Client: Tax Administration
Design: BRS Premsela Vonk (now Edenspiekermann)
www.edenspiekermann.com

In 1985, the Finance Ministry’s director-general for Inland Revenue commissioned a study to investigate the possible need for the Revenue Service to have a visual identity of its own. Two years later, the Service decided to introduce such an identity, following the example of the Dutch Railways, PTT, and most of the larger Dutch private companies.

Client: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Design: Koeweiden Postma
www.koeweidenpostma.com

The logotype is conceived as a boustrophedon – after the Greek words bous (bull) and strephein (to turn), refering to the way an ox turns and counter-turns while ploughing a field; it’s an old way of text writing used in ancient Greece, Turkey and Syria.

Client: PTT
Design: Peter Struycken (artist), Gerard Unger (typograph), Vincent Mentzel (photographer)
www.iconenvandepost.nl

In honour of the investiture of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, in 1980, this stamp was issued in 1981.

Client: PTT
Design: Harry Disberg
www.iconenvandepost.nl

The logotype shows PTT’s letter image as well as a stylised symbol of a post horn, both in white on a black square. The circle represents a cross-cut of a telephone cable. The logotype was in use from 1957 through 1981.

Client: Socialistic Party
Design: Thonik
www.thonik.nl

The star can be traced back to the tomato’s calyx or coronet. Being the SP’s former symbol, the tomato is now incorporated into the graphic image as a whole, i.e. in the full stop following ‘SP hier’ and ‘nu SP'.

Client: Ministy for Building and Planning
Design: Cepezed
Photo: Jannes Linders
www.cepezed.nl

Westraven is a combination of old and new buildings servicing several departments of the Dutch Ministry of Waterways and Public Works. The existing high-rise buildings dating from the early 1970s were fully overhauled and rearranged. Much effort was put into finding a perfect balance between low energy consumption and an optimal working climate.

Client: PTT
Design: Willem Penaat
www.iconenvandepost.nl

The chairs have been made until the 1950s. They are used in offices, administration and meeting rooms of the PTT.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Design: Dick van Gameren / Bjarne Mastenbroek
www.dickvangameren.nl
www.search.nl

Client: European Commission
Design: AMO
In 2001, Rem Koolhaas, on request of the de European Commission, submitted during a brainstorm session a proposal for a European flag. The design is based on an accumulation of colours of European national flags.
www.oma.eu

Client: National government
Design: Studio Dumbar
www.studiodumbar.com
www.communicatieplein.nl

After a European tender procedure, five Dutch design studios were invited in 2007 to submit proposals for the national government’s new visual identity. Studio Dumbar’s proposal, the Project 1 Logo, was selected to be introduced over a three-year period.

Client: PTT
Design: Wim Crouwel
www.iconenvandepost.nl

To create its new series of numeric stamps, PTT selected designers Gerrit Noordzij, Willem Sandberg, and Wim Crouwel. Although the postal service originally favoured Sandberg’s proposal, it awarded the final commission to Crouwel, stating: ‘There’s a splendid proposal, which does indeed meet the demands for a more straightforward way of designing’.

Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Minstry of Justice
Design: Studio Dumbar
www.studiodumbar.com

Client: Municipality of Lisse
Design: Corps
www.corps.com

This house style does not only give the city of Lisse its identity but also contributes to its image as the cultural centre of the flower bulb area; a region which attracts many tourists yearly. The house style comprises four identity elements; the coat of arms and shield, representing the heraldic values. Beside that; the tulip, the monument and the viewpoint which stand for the cultural image of the city.