Rijnstraat 8, Government office building near Central Station, The Hague, Netherlands
Rijnstraat 8 is a modern office building in The Hague that spans 16 floors with four large internal courtyards designed to bring daylight deep into the structure. Multiple government departments work within its open layout, which integrates gardens and planted areas throughout the interior.
The building was designed in 1992 by architect Jan Hoogstad and originally housed the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment. Its construction marked a turning point in Dutch government architecture toward more open and light-filled workspaces.
The building represents Dutch administrative efficiency through its structured layout, where restaurants maintain lower ceiling heights to minimize extended lunch breaks.
The building sits near Central Station and is easily accessible by public transport. The internal courtyards with gardens are largely closed to visitors since this is an active government office with restricted access.
The rooftop houses a tropical garden with trees and plants beneath an adjustable weather-responsive cover system. This hidden green space atop the building remains invisible to most passersby below.
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