![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-01-876x657.jpg)
The dutch architectural firm Studio Komma, in close collaboration with concept-developer The Men of Foam, is the winner of the ‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge’’ in The Hague, The Netherlands. The winning proposal, titled “ZIP2516”, combines multiple functions within a building that is fully re-mountable and re-uses an old parking gar-age.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-02-876x657.jpg)
A challenging mix of functions
The project is to be located on The Binckhorst, an introverted indus-trial area very close to The Hague that is currently transforming into a living and working district. ZIP2516 is a concept where social and commercial entrepreneurship will meet, and is combined with a mul-tifunctional public space.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-03-876x657.jpg)
The ground floor of the building accommodates the flagship store of a social entrepreneur, Happy Tosti. On the first floor is a public square, the ‘urban play ground’, covered by two floors of office space for start-ups. On top, the program is completed by a special ginbar with roof terrace.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-04-876x247.jpg)
In the design, the program is stacked and projected on the plot, and is partially lifted to make room for the public square. Next, the ground floor is modified in such a way that it creates a welcoming gesture to its users and visitors. With this iconic building, the team wants to add both economically and socially value to the area, and become a genuine accelerator for the transformation of the area.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-05-876x544.jpg)
A circular building as a Lego-package
The competition brief calls for a building that can activate the loca-tion for 10 years, after which it is decided whether the building re-mains permanently. This requirement challenges to think about tem-porary structures that have a permanent high quality.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-06-876x544.jpg)
The team de-cided to make a building on the principle of a Lego-package. Smart structural joints ensure that the building can be dismantled at an el-ementary level. After ten years, if needed, the whole building can be moved and re-mounted at a new location to boost the urban and/or regional economy. A circular construction principle based on value preservation, and adaptable to future de-velopments.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-07-876x544.jpg)
Urban mining: an old parking garage re-used
ZIP2516 is carefully designed so that an old parking garage can be reused almost completely. By making clever use of the donor build-ing, the components (floors, beams, railings) can be reused in dif-ferent ways for the realization of the ground floor and the urban playground.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-08-876x544.jpg)
Following the Lego principle, the donor parts are also made remova-ble, and can move to the next location. The jury has assessed the proposal as “a plan with guts” and as a real eyecatcher focusing on the future users of the area. Source by Studio Komma.
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-09-876x286.jpg)
- Location: The Hague, the Netherlands
- Architect: Studio Komma
- Project Team:MaartenThewissen, Joost van Rooijen
- Concept Developer: The Men of Foam
- Structural Engineer:IMdRaadgevendIngenieurs
- Installation Engineer: Galjema Technisch Adviesbureau
- Cost Consultant: IGG Bouweconomie
- Urban Mining Consultant: New Horizon
- Client: Municipality of The Hague
- Status: preliminary design
- Size: 3000m2
- Completion: 2018 (expected)
- Images: Courtesy of Studio Komma
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-10-876x544.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-11-876x619.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-12-876x619.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-13-876x619.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-14-876x619.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-15-876x619.jpg)
![‘’Ka-vel 2 ‘Urban Lab’ Challenge](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Studio-Komma-wins-competition-for-re-uses-an-old-parking-garage-in-The-Hague-16-876x619.jpg)