Dutch firm MVRDV unveiled a new project to add to what Fast Company calls its “unorthodox architecture portfolio”—an arts building in Rotterdam that resembles a disco ball cut in half.
Called the Collectiegebouw (Dutch for "collection building"), the building “will make public the city’s extensive art collection, and give visitors a look at how museums work backstage,” Fast Company reports. It is proposed to be part of the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam’s Museumpark.
The building’s reflective façade will help it blend with its park surroundings by reflecting greenery. In total, the project is 14,000 sm (or 150,694 sf), and includes a public sculpture park on its outdoor grounds.
Inside, visitors will be able to witness the backstage activity that happens at museums: restoration, transport, and storage of art.
"It is fantastic that the public art depot will be realized," Winy Maas, Principal Architect and Co-founder of MVRDV, told Fast Company. "In this way the entire population can share something that is normally hidden behind closed doors."
Related Stories
Museums | Nov 12, 2020
The National Museum of the United States Army opens
SOM designed the building.
Museums | Nov 5, 2020
The Weekly show: Designing cannabis facilities, Bob Borson's Life of an Architect, museum design
BD+C editors speak with experts from Cooper Robertson, Life of an Architect, and MJ12 Design Studio on the November 5 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Museums | Oct 15, 2020
A new museum at Princeton University designed as ‘a campus within a campus’
The building would double the size of the existing museum.
Cultural Facilities | Oct 13, 2020
Thailand’s Elephant Museum reinforces the bond between humans and beasts
The complex, in Surin Province, was built with 480,000 clay bricks.
Museums | Oct 7, 2020
First rendering of the National Medal of Honor Museum unveiled
Rafael Viñoly Architects designed the project.
AEC Tech Innovation | Sep 18, 2020
New Innovation Center should heighten Port San Antonio’s tech profile
The facility will include a 2,500-seat arena and serve as new home for the city’s S&T museum.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Museums | Jun 12, 2020
How will museums change after COVID-19
This new environment may herald innovative economic models and change the way we think about museum design.
Museums | Jan 14, 2020
St. Louis’ new aquarium is built inside an 19th century train shed
PGAV Destinations designed the project.