Our Office 

The building Plein 1813, or better said Willemspark, has on both sides of the Maurits quay two white buildings, standing there as two uniformed guards marking the entrance to a different area. In the past this was literally the case. There was the ring of channels and at this place the city left its restrictions it had imposed itself. Willemspark was notable and wealthy. Another kind of life, the Gold Coast, as today we would call it probably with hidden envy. The two white country residences were the heralds of such beauty. It might be that this is why they sing a different tune, because even there has been 130 years elapsed since they were build, they remain strangers.

This has everything to do with the features of the two buildings, features that relate to the exotic chic in Buitenzorg that was still “our Indie” In the past Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands and was called Indie. But also the position of the twin besides the channels of The Hague adds to its alienation. On all sides surrounded by large gardens, with a lawn that luxuriantly descents to the waterfront, it withdraws itself from the stringent urban planning.

The city here meets the country side: at one hand the intimacy of verandas and the suspected hidden summerhouses and on the other hand the noisy traffic of the Maurits quay.

All together the buildings have had a difficult time for a long period. The building where now Udink & De Jong is residing was restored years ago by the then owner and rebuild to a modern office. Equipped with all to date technical facilities and with the air of its standing of the past. Udink & De Jong is a proud habitant of this unique building with its beautiful garden. The monumental trees are famous in The Hague and are currently protected by The National Trust.

(Unofficial English translation of the article: White Guardian Willemspark restored; Haagsche Courant 4 October 1996)