studio modijefsky designs 'foodhallen' food court in the hague as indoor urban piazza

located within the haagsche bluf, a small luxury shopping area in the hague‘s city center, foodhallen den haag by studio modijefsky is a brand-new food court whose design takes its cues from the tradition of the greatest european piazzas. the third venue of foodhallen – the first two being in amsterdam and rotterdam – the food court spreads across three adjoining buildings, connecting multiple floor levels and irregular structural grids into an open public space. for the basis of the concept, the dutch studio has chosen seven elements that can be found in all typical urban squares: landmarks, striking paving, fountains, stairs, merchant stalls, playgrounds, and statues; translating each of those into a contemporary architectural component within the space.

all images by maarten willemstein

studio modijefsky has used graphic lines, a clear material palette and conceptual symbols to create a vibrant indoor piazza that links together the three adjoining spaces forming foodhallen den haag. basing the design concept on the seven urban elements, the studio has chosen to represent the most prominent, iconic part of the urban landscape – the landmark – with a centrally positioned bar, divided into two parts. the large main bar faces the entrances, and a more intimate cocktail bar is located on the opposite side, both finished with bronze, red marble and terracotta tiles, seamlessly merging with the floor and plinths of columns. referencing paving patterns used in urban squares, the tiles of several sizes and colors differentiate or connect the varying levels of the interior. taking advantage of the different floor heights in the space, the studio has extruded large tiled benches from the ground, forming custom fixed seating arrangements.

each corner of the interior has been thoughtfully considered and turned into the best possible party spot, offering endless opportunities for both large groups and more private gatherings. statues, as symbols of the historical past, are represented by structural columns, whose shapes and finishes differ depending on their position within the space. columns surrounding the bar are the most sculptural, finished with bronze facing material. chosen supporting walls clad in dark blue tiles, combined with integrated light elements, plants and oxidized copper are an abstract representation of fountains, bringing color into the interior. remaining columns are clad in brass, yet another material taken from the tradition of the mediterranean piazzas.

taking their cues from traditional merchant stalls, twelve food stalls in three different sizes and unique graphic identities, chosen by the vendors themselves, surround the open space of the ground floor. ‘this posed a significant challenge of creating clear design guidelines for the stalls’ owners – rules which would not restrain the creativity of each brand, but at the same time result in a wholesome interior in its own right,’ notes studio modijefsky. ‘the overall space must be a blank canvas for the hague’s street food scene, while remaining a signature foodhallen venue full of unique character.’

a large bespoke wooden staircase leading to the upstairs bar offers another social place for people to gather, as its mosaic-tiled steps double as seats and tables. in comparison with the bustling ground floor, the upper level of foodhallen has a slightly brighter and more organized feel. here, a bold fountain bar made of travertine stone, turquoise oxidized copper and light-colored terrazzo top takes center stage, while the combination of mirrors and light imitates water running down the back of the bar. strong vertical lines make the space optically taller, while the floor here is made of wooden planks forming a geometrical pattern, once again merging into elevated custom seating elements. existing structural elements such as wall piers are highlighted and celebrated by becoming a part of an abstract wall composition made of diverse lights, panels and finishes.