Keukenhof: The World Famous Park in Netherlands

Keukenhof is the world famous park located in Lisse, Netherlands. Designed by Mecanoo, the park has a grand gatehouse that welcomes the large flows of visitors to explore the park. Before exploring the park thoroughly, the visitors will see stepped timber roof structure of interwoven isosceles triangles that leans on the park’s two volumes, acting as an impressive gateway to the park.

Keukenhof

The gatehouse of Keukenhof is dedicated to public functions, such as an information desk, retail space, offices and cash registers. You can say the gatehouse is like a transition between the outside world and the world of Keukenhof where beautiful flowers help adorn the park even more.

The retail space or shops and restaurants open up to the site’s inner square to create a lively atmosphere. From the retail space, the glazed façade allows you to see how the skylights in the roof create a spacious and light atmosphere in the restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, the timber roof structure as well as the glass windows allow natural light to bath the space.

Focusing on the office area, there is a spacious light-filled atrium that will lead the staff to their respective workspaces and meeting rooms.

The Entrance

From the main car park, visitors will go through a forecourt with wedge-shaped planters before accessing the park’s entrance. A forecourt with wedge-shaped planters leads visitors from the main car park to the entrance, which is the gatehouse.

The gatehouse offers shelter while creating an ever-changing play of shadow and light through its roof. When you look at the fence, you will see a tulip motif, indicating the beginning of a journey of discovery.

Timber Triangles

When you look up, you can see Dutch skies framed by timber triangles, and when you look down, you will see triangular shadows on the ground.

Meanwhile, the use of natural materials, such as brick, copper, and wood, play an important part to create the building’s character without disturbing the surrounding environment.

When spring rolls around, the building can be opened almost entirely thanks to the glazed façade. With this, the interior of the building can blend with its exterior.

In the outer court, the wedge-shaped planters define the paths to the park’s entrance.

A Pleasant Day Out

Ponds with fountains help the park provide a pleasant day out and sitting on the spacious terraces for the visitors. They can enjoy the views of the largest tulip field inside the park. Overall, the scenery, landscape, and building structure merge together to produce a suitable ambiance in the Keukenhof.

Via Mecanoo