TNO New Babylon
The new TNO head office in The Hague is in use! In the multi tenanted New Babylon building situated next to Central Station The Hague.
TNO is an independent research organisation that employs 3.000 specialists. They focus on transitions or changes in five social themes: Industry; Healthy Living; Defence, Safety & Security; Urbanisation and Energy. Innovation with purpose is what TNO stands for. They develop knowledge not for its own sake, but for practical application.
The goal was to optimize efforts ensuring efficient and effective housing. In order to achieve this, two locations were combined into one office whereby only 9.500 sqm was necessary. This lead to a substantial space reduction leaving 24.300 sqm behind.
The new offices had to more closely reflect the identity of TNO, namely a representative work environment suiting an organization that is an authority on knowledge sharing and innovation. The Board of Directors, staff departments and business units are all brought together. This stimulates the interaction and knowledge sharing between departments and academic groups. Subsequently an important starting point for TNO and Hollandse Nieuwe was sustainability. Hollandse Nieuwe has translated these assumptions into a working environment where encounters are central.
Completion | 2015 |
Net m² | 9.500 m² |
Client | TNO |
Location | New Babylon, Den Haag |


Employees and visitors go from the entrance hall on the ground floor directly to the ‘Club Office’ on the 10th floor where a good cup of coffee can be ordered at the coffee bar situated opposite the entrance. On this floor there are a wide range of consultation/meeting and temporary workplaces. The restaurant is also situated here and after lunch can also be used for working and meetings. On the floors below are the remaining workplaces based on the ‘smart working’ principle; independent of time and place of work. Supporting facilities such as meeting rooms and copy corners have been placed in the heart of the floors. Meeting rooms are grouped together in a meeting centrum with its own character, divided above each other and spread over all floors. Thus the space is clearly organized into quiet zones and zones for communication.
Graphic design studio ZiLtd translated the corporate identity of TNO to a usable design that form a direct link to the interior design. This foil represents the brand value of TNO and ensures privacy in various areas.
All this has resulted in a working environment where the users feel at home, the identity of TNO is experienced and where people work with pleasure.
