On September 2, 2025, the municipal executive board decided to rename part of the Grote Kerkplein to the Han Prins Platform. On September 13, during Open Monument Day 2025, alderwoman Anja Roelfs handed over the street name sign to widow Joukje Prins. This platform, located in front of the Zwolle city hall, serves as a lasting tribute to Han Prinss dedication to preserving the historic city center of Zwolle. 

Han Prins

After the city council approved the final city hall design in 1972, discussions began about the public space around the city hall. Here too, the Friends of the City Center played a prominent role, especially graphic and spatial designer Han Prins. 

Han Prins was commissioned by the municipal executive board to create an environmental plan for the area around the Zwolle city hall. The plans explanation mentions that the marking of the former Council Tower, as desired by Prins, could be realized in the paving design. The paving plans were also made by Han Prins. In addition to the reference to the Council Tower, seating pits, walls, stairs, and flagpoles are included in the platform named after him.

Contrast and relationship

Today, the spirit of the 1970s is still visible in both the city hall by architect Konijnenburg and the design of the square in front of the city hall, now called the Han Prins Platform. The elevated platform spatially detaches itself from the church square. There is a distinctive and contemporary paving pattern. “The starting point was to create an interesting interplay between round, dynamic shapes and linear elements. The first to achieve a contrast with the very strict facade surfaces, the second to simultaneously establish a relationship with them. […] The color of the chosen paving material will further determine whether certain parts are emphasized more strongly or everything is kept in a calmer tone,” said Han Prins. 

Ultimately, the working group decided that the paving for the platform would be executed in bricks: “in warm dark red, or at least dark shades: nuanced also allowed; granite cobblestones light gray.” This warm appearance is still present.

Council Tower

The platform includes the strongly desired reference by Han Prins to the disappeared Council Tower through a granite stone text band with inscription. “On this foundation stood between 1448 and 1844 the Council Tower of this city.”

Read more?

The recently published Zwolle Historical Journal, 42nd volume 2025, number 4, pays extensive attention to the City Hall, the Han Prins Platform, and the Adam statue. Text: Heritage Municipality of Zwolle, Johan Teunis and Henry Kranenborg.

Images

  • Fig. 1. Council Tower as visible on a section of the Zwolle city map, published by Braun and Hogenberg, 1580. In the foreground the disappeared tower of the Grote Kerk. (Collection Overijssel)
  • Fig. 2. Section of the design for the paving to be applied on the forecourt of the City Hall, Lombardstraat and Grote Kerkplein. The paving of both the platform of the City Hall and Lombardstraat is still present. (Collection Overijssel)
  • Fig. 3. Image of the city hall complex shortly after completion. The platform with its beautiful design and the contours of the Council Tower are clearly visible. (Municipality of Zwolle, M. Malherbe)