The Hague - Dutch National Dance Theater

(Local Name: Nederlands Dans Theater) Facing the Nieuwe Kerk, at the corner of Spui and Grote Marktstraat, is an unpretentious long, low building faced with white plaster slabs and black corrugated iron. The only eye-catching feature of this plain and functional building (by Rem Koolhaas, 1987) is the gold-colored restaurant in the shape of an inverted cone. Together with the adjoining Dr Anton Philipszaal it provides a home - a need much felt for many years - for the Residence Orchestra (Residentie Orkest) and the Dance Theater. Since both institutions are largely self-financing the building had to be as cheap as possible and strictly functional. The foyer, however, is a delight to the eye, with its curving ramps and galleries suspended in the air on three levels against the dark red and golden coloring of the hall. From the street intersection to the right Hofweg leads back to the Buitenhof.