What would you expect a building named after a domestic appliance to look like?

Sleek….stylish….functional? This streamlined skyscraper in The Hague, Netherlands, is called Het Strijkijzer, which means ‘the clothing iron’, and it’s not hard to see why.

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Hague’s iron takes a bite of New York’s BIG cheese

Its crease-free, award-winning form was inspired by the triangular ‘cheese wedge’ shape of the famous Flatiron building in New York City, and at 132 metres high it’s the second tallest building in The Hague.

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Clad from top to bottom in double-sided Colorcoat HPS200® Ultra which gives it its unique exterior appearance, this building has function as well as form. With a limited land on which to construct it – just 30 x35 metres – its lean and narrow design stretching skywards from a triangular base meant that site space could be maximised.

Giant ‘Iron’ presses ahead of the rest thanks to Tata Steel

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It’s now home The Hague’s up-and-coming, with 51 luxury flats and 300 studio flats designed for young people, students and first-time buyers across 42 floors, with office space at the building’s base. A panoramic terrace on the 41st floor makes the most of the stunning views, where you can see as far out as the ships on the North Sea.

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Its compact yet elegant design, combined with its purpose, has resulted in prestigious accolades including the Hague New City Prize and the international Emporis Skyscraper Award, making ‘the clothing iron’ the first Dutch winner.

Tata Steel’s flat-out style for this tall tower

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Surrounded by heavy car and tram traffic, it’s right at the heart of city life but towers head and shoulders above other buildings in the Rijswijkseplein district. Just like any great domestic tool, this building serves its purpose with style.