Paleis Het Loo, a baroque hunting palace on the outskirts of Apeldoorn, has undergone an ambitious transformation involving the addition of over 5000 square metres of new facilities and spaces, a careful restoration of the palace, and a meticulous asbestos removal process.

KAAN Architecten's intervention draws from the inextricable connection between architecture, lush gardens, and water elements. The entire extension is placed underground, and the new water feature is integrated as part of the architecture, continuing the tradition of the overall baroque composition without disrupting the historical image.

The Bassecour, a courtyard between the palace wings, has been transformed into a stunning space with a central fountain and glass surfaces featuring natural stone and flowing water, reminiscent of the historic gardens. Serving as the roof of the new extension, the shallow ponds reflect the palace and allow daylight to filter through, creating a brilliant effect. Located at the ends of the palace wings, entry pavilions lead visitors down to the light-filled balcony and into the Grand Foyer, which serves as the central hub of the extension. The Grand Foyer maintains the symmetry of the baroque composition and connects visually with the historic building through a glass roof. A large wind rose mosaic on the floor indicates the centre of the extension and offers visitors different directions to explore. The extension features temporary exhibition halls, a museum for children, and a permanent exhibition on the history of the Dutch royal family.

The finishes in the new building are elegant and restrained, with textures and materials blending harmoniously. Walnut wood with orange blossom leaf patterns, marble with sandblasted, honed, and polished surfaces, and reflective materials are used throughout, referring to the gardens and the ornate halls of the palace in quality and craftsmanship. As part of the intervention, the historic building also underwent careful restoration to improve technology and climate control systems, and a staircase to the roof was added to provide panoramic views of the grounds. The old ballroom was transformed into a restaurant and now features a herringbone parquet floor made from oak trees around the Palace that needed to be felled due to natural deterioration.

The design aims to achieve balance and unity between the old and new buildings, a result greater than the sum of its parts. At first glance, the renovation and extension are invisible, revealed later through a series of carefully considered features. Each enhances the visitor experience without detracting from the monument, positioning Paleis Het Loo to remain a vital cultural institution for years to come.