People:

• J.J.P. Oud (architect)

Title:

Head Office of the Bataafsche Import Maatschappij (Shell Building), The Hague, Netherlands (1937-1942)

Date:

1937-1942

Level of archival description:
project

Extent and medium:

• 6 drawings
  5 photographs

Scope and content:
In 1937, the Bataafsche Import Maatschappij (The Batavian Import Company), established a building programme for new headquarters within The Hague. The company wished to create office space for 600 employees. The company invited competition entries from four architects, including Oud. Oud's design was approved in 1939 and included a rectangular block of rooms oriented around a central corridor with office spaces separated by partitions. The building was surrounded by a garden. Oud also created designs for a possible future expansion and later designed office furnishings. While construction was interrupted by the war, the company proceeded with minimum construction until its restoration and continued expansion. Oud assisted with restoration after its bombing by Allied forces in 1945. The erected building was criticised for its traditional decorative patterns (Taverne et al. 2001, 411-414). Project series includes plans for the Shell Building, as well as a photograph of the building facades and one of the furniture.

Reference number:

CI005.S1.1937.PR1

Location:

Den Helder Netherlands

Contains:

• DR1984:0199, Competition drawing showing a bird's-eye perspective for the principal façade and sections for an observation deck for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938
• DR1984:0200, Basement plan for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0201, Ground floor plan for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0202, Plan for the first, third, and fourth floors for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0203, Second floor plan for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0204, Fifth floor plan for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0205, Roof plan for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0206, Longitudinal section for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0207, Cross sections for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1939
• DR1984:0260, Partial elevations and partial sections for an addition for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1946
• DR1984:0450, Sketch perspective for a doorway and broken-out sections for window details, possibly for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938-1946
• DR1984:0451, Sketch sections for joinery details, possibly for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938-1946
• DR1984:0452, Sketch elevation and sectional details for a doorway, possibly for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938-1946
• DR1984:0466, Sketch plan for an auditorium for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938-1946
• DR1984:0561, Axonometric and sectional details for furniture for the director's office of the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, printed 1938-1949
• DR1985:0376, Competition drawing showing a perspective for the principal façade for the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1938
• PH1984:0878, View of the rear façade of the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1946 or later
• PH1984:0879, View of the principal façade of the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1946 or later
• PH1984:0880, View of the lateral façade of the Shell Building showing the adjacent service station, The Hague, Netherlands, 1946 or later
• PH1984:0895, View of an armchair designed by J.J.P. Oud for the director's office of the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1950
• PH1984:0896, View of chairs and a table designed by J.J.P. Oud for the director's office of the Shell Building, The Hague, Netherlands, 1950