The aldermen are very proud of the Chinese Gates being realized in their city. “The gates accentuate the 100 years business relationship between The Hague and China. It also stimulates a much more intensive working relationship for future business. The Hague forms from now on literary the gateway for Chinese firms for business in Europe” says Henk Kool.

The Chinese Gates were developed by Chinese entrepreneurs joined in the Chinatown Foundation. The Chinese architect Momoko Cai from KOW and the Construction Company Shanghai Tayjuan Company joined hands for the design and whole building process of the Gates. Momoko Cai currently works for the KOW office in Shanghai.

Design competition
The most important condition as far as the city was concerned was authenticity. The gateways were to be designed by a Chinese architect and would be fabricated in China with natural Chinese materials. The city asked KOW Architects, with its offices in The Hague and Shanghai to organize a competition amongst Chinese architects.

The winner should not only be responsible for the design but also fabrication and construction in The Hague. Of the five selected Chinese design and construction companies the international jury chose Taiyuan from Shanghai, which had entered plans drawn up by Momoko Cai. The jury praised the Feng Shui of the winner, its balance and the good Chi (human energy) and was pleased with the use of carved natural stone and artistic wooden finish.

Chinese gates, Dutch rules and regulations
The construction and the materials used had to conform to city regulations and the rules governing the building permit. KOW adapted the plans and tested the quality of the materials. The foundation and frame were constructed by a Dutch company. Together with its Chinese partner a method was developed whereby the gateway elements which were fabricated in China could be easily and quickly mounted to the erected construction.

Contract and construction
After the contract had been negotiated between the city and Taiyaun with the help of KOW, the permit process and construction could begin. While the foundation and utilities were being laid in The Hague the fabrication of the different elements commenced in different Chinese locations. The natural stone parts were sculpted by Chinese artisans and would later be draped around the concrete pillars.

The 1,200 wooden parts of the roof are put together like a three dimensional puzzle without the use of any glue or nails. After a quality check by KOW Shanghai in China the parts are disassembled and shipped to the Netherlands. Together with the arrival of the parts 12 Chinese specialized labourers and artisans came to The Hague to carry out the actual construction. This last phase took less than two months. After a Tao ceremony the last unique decorations could be added by hand.

Source: KOW Architects