Netherlands introduces three fresh museums
Rotterdam is set to become a hub for cultural exploration with the upcoming openings of two unique museums. The National Museum of Photography and the FENIX, a migration museum, are set to debut in the city, each offering a distinct experience for visitors.
The National Museum of Photography, housed in a former warehouse, is the brainchild of architecture firm MVRDV, known for their prominent projects such as the Dutch Pavilion. With over 6.5 million photographic images, one of the largest museum collections of photography in the world, the museum promises to showcase exhibitions of the highest level. The new structure's design holds potential for innovative and captivating displays that the collections will undoubtedly reserve for the public.
Meanwhile, the FENIX, the first museum in the world dedicated to the history of migrations, is set to open on May 16. Located on the port front that once saw hundreds of thousands of migrants embark for the Americas, the FENIX houses a piece of the Berlin Wall, symbolising movement towards freedom and a better future. The museum, housed in a historic restored warehouse, has undergone a radical transformation by architects MAD.
In Amsterdam, the Drift Museum, a former factory, is being transformed into a museum for contemporary art. The transformation includes a unique hydraulic operation by engineers and the installation of 8,000 square meters of solar panels on the roof for minimal environmental impact energy production. A private dock with direct access to the waterway has also been realised as part of the project.
The interiors and furnishings of the Drift Museum are made of eco-sustainable materials, and the architectural project respects environmental norms. The museum's architectural project also features facade lighting on the roofs that allows one to look up at the sky. A giant tree sculpture in the entrance hall required the structural capacity of the base to be strengthened, necessitating futuristic engineering solutions to support the sculpture's weight.
The transformation of the Drift Museum involves the use of 25,000 square meters of space, offering ample room for exhibitions of contemporary art. The National Museum of Photography, with its vast collection, is also expected to make full use of the space available to it in Rotterdam.
Both museums promise to offer visitors a unique and enriching experience, showcasing the best of contemporary art and the history of migrations. The opening of these museums is set to further cement Rotterdam's status as a cultural destination worth visiting.
