The urban development plan Moerwijk in The Hague was designed by architect and urban planner W.M. Dudok. The district, which was created in 1949, was part of the post-war reconstruction. The Jan Luykenlaan formed an access road from the main structure from The Hague to Moerwijk. The buildings along this avenue consisted of a shopping strip with staircase flats above. The shopping strip consists of a partially covered gallery with recessed portico inside. This gallery and porticos are a source of insecurity in the neighbourhood. Our office was asked to make a proposal on how the safety of this shopping strip could be increased and how the portico flats could be renovated.

The covered gallery with a row of prefab concrete columns is characteristic of these shopping strips. That image must be preserved while recessed space must be reduced. A compromise has been found by moving the shop fronts forward with large folding glass walls and partially setting back the entrances to the shops and the portico flats. As a result, the structure of the shopping strip retains its character.

The porch flats above the shops will be fitted with new original window frames with insulating glass, original balcony fences and the facades will be fitted with stone strips on insulation, framed in restored concrete frames. This is to respect the original design and to give this shopping strip back the old-fashioned image.