Entrance this way: the Van Gogh Museum’s revamped foyer opens this week
The Van Gogh Museum welcomes a new member to its architectural family this week with its long-awaited new entrance hall opening on the 5th of September. Gerrit Rietveld's iconic 1973-built museum and Kisho Kurokawa's temporary exhibitions wing are joined by Hans van Heeswijk Architecten's sleek and contemporary glass and steel entrance hall, which will allow visitors to enter the Van Gogh complex from Amsterdam's recently renovated cultural hub plaza, the Museumplein.
Initially planned by the architects behind the museum's temporary exhibition wing, Kisho Kurokawa Architect and Associates, the design was later developed and completed by local firm Hans van Heeswijk Architecten. The sweeping glass wall of the entrance hall encloses the sunken pond that was built between the temporary exhibitions wing in 1999 and the main museum building, mirroring but also contrasting the curved, solid concrete wall of the Kurokawa wing and providing better access between the existing museum buildings.
Thanks to this new light and airy space, the museum has gained 800 sq m of flexible floor space to house the ticket hall, cloakroom and a new gift shop. At the same time the addition creates a multi-functional space, where events or receptions can be hosted.
The all-glass façade and roof are supported by a light and elegant steel structure. This transparent foyer is accessed by an equally transparent - seemingly weightless - glass staircase. Natural light floods down into the large, tranquil lobby, a stark contrast to the often overcrowded museum ticket halls on similar popular locations. Museum director Axel Rüger says that 'improved access, better logistics and more space will allow us to give our visitors a much warmer welcome than before.'
To celebrate the opening of the new entrance, events are being held in the Museumplein across the weekend.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Molly Goddard on creating a community of contemporary brides
As new Molly Goddard bridal wear is released, the designer talks about creating romantic but real wedding dresses, while three recent brides tell the stories behind their own Goddard gowns
By Jack Moss Published
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly design
Boise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A nest house in the Netherlands immerses residents in nature
Buitenverblijf Nest house by i29 offers a bird-inspired forest folly for romantic woodland escapes in the Netherlands
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The House Under the Ground is a Dutch home surrounded in wildflowers and green meadow
The House Under the Ground by WillemsenU is a unique Dutch house blending in its green field
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
Open Park Villa is a minimalist Dutch home embracing its parkland setting
Open Park Villa by i29 architects offers a green residential oasis in a formerly military-owned plot turned parkland
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Câpsula, a series of tiny homes, champions 'living large with less'
Câpsula, initiated by architecture studio i29, brings together tiny homes, wellness and a design-led approach at Dutch Design Week 2023
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Booking.com campus proposes workspace wellness for the 21st century
The new Booking.com headquarters, City Campus by UNStudio in Amsterdam, bring together wellness, sustainable architecture, and new attitudes to workspace
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
National Portrait Gallery reopens its refreshed home
London’s National Portrait Gallery reopens with a design by leading architect Jamie Fobert and conservation specialist Purcell
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Kunlé Adeyemi’s water cities and visions of future living at Het Nieuwe Instituut
‘Water Cities Rotterdam. By Kunlé Adeyemi’ opens at Het Nieuwe Instituut in The Netherlands, offering visions of future living
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The Museum of Amazonian Science offers global hope and sustainability
An environmentalist’s ambitious project includes the Museum of Amazonian Science in Brazil and fulfils his vision of powering up the local bioeconomy and saving humanity
By Scott Mitchem Published