Assignment

Every year during Open Monument Day, historic buildings across the Netherlands open their doors to the public. The initiative aims to raise awareness and support for the preservation of national heritage. Since 2022, the Binnenhof, the political heart of the Netherlands, has been closed to the public due to a large-scale renovation. Only on a few select days each year is the complex temporarily accessible, including during Open Monument Day. For the third consecutive year, Obsession was commissioned by the Central Government Real Estate Agency to co-organise this special opening. The goal: to offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the centre of Dutch democracy, provide insight into the ongoing renovation, and create a positive experience around this complex and long-term national project.

Result

On Saturday 13 September, the gates of the Binnenhof opened once again. Obsession supported the Central Government Real Estate Agency with full project management, the delivery of all event facilities, and the development of a user-friendly registration system that allowed visitors to book a specific time slot. Interest was overwhelming; all time slots were fully booked within days. The visitor route included some of the Binnenhof’s most iconic spaces: the imposing Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), the meeting chambers of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, and the historic Trêveszaal. Along the way, staff, contractors and architects shared stories about the site's rich history and the largest renovation project in the Netherlands. At the information market, visitors could learn more about ongoing restorations and future plans, while actors in historical costume brought past centuries vividly to life. For younger guests, there were creative activities including a puzzle trail and a themed photo spot for a lasting memory. In total, we welcomed 4,500 visitors. They left the Binnenhof with a sense of wonder at its history, its architectural complexity, and the scale of the work ahead. This day offered a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of Dutch democracy – and see how heritage and the future come together.