Palace for a King
'Space is a void, a pocket of air that must be contained to define a limit. This precision coincides with an indispensable existence around it, that grants identity. To design spaces is to design the possibilities of life, with limits made material. Space is defined by form, texture, color temperature, smell, light. Also as a void, a mental process of control over construction where space is at the core: adding subtraction, building excavation. It shifts the center of experience from form to life. At the forefront, space: nearly autonomous, nearly absolute.' 1
The king is inbetween four palaces. All of them aren’t perfect, nor they have the required appearance to represent the king of a modern country nor they have large spaces to function.
In the current state the building can’t function as a palace. The exterior creates the feeling that the greek “temple” architecture had an influence on the design of the palace. Repetition of each element several times makes it less strong. The interior is dated and the wooden floor creaks. Although, the ceilings in every room of the palace have their own identity. The english landscape garden encloses the palace with the lake. The curvy paths, with on some spots a view over the lake to the palace, extend the palace in its old fashioned way. This design brings about a new appearance which amplifies the palaces’ eccentric elements by “cutting them out” of the
repetition.
will stand out.
Hereby the historical value becomes fully appreciated.
Concentrating all functions of the royal house in one building is one of the
fundamental ideas of the design, whereby social and economic considerations play along. Modern design will be emphasized by deviating from traditional habits.
The colored modern spaces attached to the old palace are in contrast with
the black and white dazzle pattern. The properties and shapes of the new volumes refer to the traditional program, but they all have their own new characteristics.
"Oh Willem, this is the palace we should choose!"
by Dex Weel
