Rotterdam considers plans to transform city institution

Mecanoo has presented the firm’s vision for the renovation of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen to Rotterdam’s city council. Earlier this year, Mecanoo was chosen to oversee the museum's transformation, restoring historically significant parts of the structure while adding additional space to form a cohesive visitor-friendly design.

Two of the building’s wings, designed by Van der Steur and Bodon, are considered to be part of the museum collection. Both will be restored to their original splendor, with the new Mecanoo wing acting as a connecting element. Over the years, numerous renovations left the museum difficult to navigate, with the entrance hard to find and the Museum Garden seemingly positioned at the back of the building. Mecanoo have introduced a transparent passage that meanders organically between the two historic wings, with a public passage connecting the city to the park. The central idea was to transform Boijmans from closed to open, from a castle to a museum, where inside and outside meet.

On its reopening, it is hoped that the museum will become a more significant presence among its neighbouring institutions. Mecanoo state: “The new Boijmans is a catalyst for a stronger connection and cooperation with the surrounding institutions in the Museum Park: Depot, Nieuwe Instituut, Kunsthal, Natural History, Chabot Museum and Arminius. With its Museumpark, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen will become a place for people of Rotterdam and visitors to the city. This is how Rotterdam presents its culture park at an international level: with the renewed Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen as a central player and in the role of connector.”

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This tender was first published by TenderStream on 28.05.2019 here

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