Register of modern architecture oA HÚ SAV

The former Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment building complex in The Hague, SoZa, was designed by Herman Hertzberger in 1979, and was in use as a government building from 1990 to 2016. SoZa is internationally recognised as an icon of Structuralist architecture, with its visionary design already accounting for future uses. In a time when very few spoke of sustainability and circularity, this is a pioneering example of sustainability ahead of its time!

The monument status was denied to the building by the Municipality of The Hague. Although structurally sound and adaptable by design, SoZa’s fate is that its owner, VORM, plans to demolish it, and the Municipality is facilitating this by granting an environmental permit for the new building plan.

Every minute, a building is demolished in Europe. This summer, the former Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SoZa) is next. Two years ago, a community of about 560 professionals, academics, students, and locals submitted a petition to the House of Representatives against SoZa's demolition — without result. With this new petition, in a changed political landscape after general elections and a new Coalition Agreement of the Government, we hope to make a difference and show these signers are not alone, but widely supported in The Hague, the Netherlands, across Europe and around the world.

Add your voice to the petition against the demolition of this exceptional work, which internationally renowned figures in the fields of architecture and cultural heritage are fighting to save.

You can find the petition online via: https://c.org/tmp89NTq4H