on its façade is the hollandic lion, holding the coat of arms of the high college and guarding the hollandic yard, the symbol of territorial integrity and security. on the site of the new 1924 development stood a number of fine houses built by philips vingboons, previously used by high officials of the admiralty. the vroedschap commissioned the great poet vondel to write verses to be recited at the inauguration of the building. to adorn the interior, ferdinand bol was commissioned to paint four huge allegorical paintings, for which he was paid 2,000 guilders.