MVRDV reinvent the museum experience in Rotterdam with Collection Building

Rotterdam based architects MVRDV are working on a building that is neither a museum nor an art storage facility; rather a typology that merges the two. The Collection Building is a new type of cultural venue, where visitors are taken through a museum's art collection, while it is being exhibited within state-of-the-art conservation spaces.
The project is planned as an extension of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, located in Rotterdam's well known Museumpark cultural district.
The centuries-old establishment currently keeps its art collection in storage in the museum's basement, but it has been in constant danger of flooding. MVRDV's response lies in the design of a structure that acts as an art depot that is open to the public, located only a few metres from its predecessor. Sanne van der Burgh, the project leader, compares it to a 'backstage' or a 'working' museum experience.
The structure's curved volume is at the same time a 'gesture' towards its multiple – and high profile – neighbours (the MBVB, Het Nieuwe Instituut, and OMA's Kunsthal) and an attempt to draw visitors to this new addition. Its shape narrows at the bottom so as to give breathing space to a carefully landscaped public space with birch and pine trees, low and high grasses. The trees currently on the building's site will be transplanted to its rooftop, which will be a new elevated public space looking over the city and comprising a sculpture garden, restaurant and exhibition space.
The scheme is organised into three types of visitor routes, all making their way up through different types of art depots and restoration workshops. The most striking one is a thin atrium cut into the building, displaying an impressive number of art works. The pieces will be organised not by theme, as you might expect in a traditional museum setting, but according to conservation type - temperature and light.
The building will be clad in mirrored glass - providing an 'anamorphic reflection of the surroundings,' explains the architect.
Following a bright blue rooftop house extension and last year's last year's Markthall completionl, this will be the architects' third project in their hometown. Construction will start during the summer of 2016, on track for an official launch at the end of 2018.
The structure’s curved volume is a response to its context and spatial needs, such as the creation of a welcoming, public landscaped areas around it
In the diplay areas, the pieces will be organised not by theme, as you might expect in a traditional museum setting, but according to conservation type - that is temperature and light
Different types of visitor routes are planned through the building, leading up to a planted rooftop terrace
This new elevated public space will look over the city and comprise a sculpture garden, restaurant and exhibition space
INFORMATION
For more information on MVRDV visit the website
-
The best London art exhibitions: a guide for this weekend
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions this weekend, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
By Harriet Lloyd Smith • Published
-
The world’s first AI ballet has arrived, and it's setting the bar high
The first-ever AI ballet is here, directed and composed by speech artist and musician Harry Yeff (AKA Reeps100), and performed by the Leipzig Ballet
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Is Spinnova the world’s most sustainable fibre?
Spinnova – 100 per cent natural, biodegradable and recyclable, with zero microplastics – is now being used by some of the world’s biggest apparel brands. Wallpaper* takes a look inside the brand’s new Finnish factory
By Naomi Moriyama • 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
-
Rotterdam house is a sustainable home with a defining timber roof
Terphouse is a green Rotterdam house by Studio AAAN, featuring a distinctive low-slung, timber roof
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Sydney Modern opens its doors and reveals immersive SANAA architecture
SANAA’s Sydney Modern opens its doors to the public in Australia
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Refreshed Gainsborough House in Suffolk gears up for reopening
Thomas Gainsborough House in Suffolk reopens to a design by architecture studio ZMMA
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Etruscan Galleries at Fondazione Luigi Rovati by Mario Cucinella just flow
In Milan, the Etruscan Galleries at the Fondazione Luigi Rovati, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, open to the public
By Ellie Stathaki • Last updated
-
Morphosis unveils flowing Orange County Museum of Art
Explore the curved shapes and expressive interiors of the Orange County Museum of Art by Morphosis, now open in California
By Ellie Stathaki • Last updated
-
Buffalo AKG Art Museum by OMA looks to the future
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery) is reborn with a striking OMA-designed extension, site-specific installations, and a new focus on the local community
By Amy Serafin • Last updated