Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum / MVRDV

Architects: MVRDV
Area: 15,000 m²
Year: 2021
Photography: Ossip van Duivenbode, Aad Hoogendoorn
Landscape Architect: MTD Landschap Architecten
Principal In Charge: Winy Maas
Partner: Fokke Moerel
Project Team: Sanne van der Burgh, Arjen Ketting, Fedor Bron, Gerard Heerink, Elien Deceuninck, Jason Slabbynck, Rico van de Gevel, Marjolein Marijnissen, Remco de Haan
Strategy And Development: Jan Knikker, Irene Start
Visualization: Antonio Luca Coco, Matteo Artico, Carlo Cattó
Restaurant Designer: Concrete
Art Collaborations: John Körmeling (lobby), Marieke van Diemen (atrium), Pipilotti Rist (exterior light show)
Facade Consultant: ABT
Installations: RHDHV
Cost Engineering: BBN
General Contractor: BAM Bouw en Techniek
Programs / Use / Building Function: Offices, Retail, Cultural, Bar-Restaurant
City: Rotterdam
Country: Netherlands

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, designed by MVRDV, is located in Rotterdam’s Museumpark. Completed in 2021, this unique museum depot offers public access to its entire collection of 151,000 objects. The building features climate-controlled storage zones, exhibition spaces, a restaurant, and a rooftop forest. Its reflective facade integrates seamlessly with the surroundings. Visitors experience behind-the-scenes insights into museum operations and stunning views of Rotterdam from the rooftop.

Depot boijmans van beuningen museum / mvrdv

Located in Rotterdam’s Museumpark, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen offers a new museum experience where the entire collection of 151,000 objects is accessible to the public. Besides storage and care areas, the depot includes a restaurant and an award-winning rooftop forest at 35 meters high.

The 39.5 meter-high, bowl-shaped building has a small footprint, preserving views and routes in the Museumpark and minimizing impact on underground water buffers. The expansive rooftop public space with a restaurant provides panoramic views of Rotterdam.

The depot’s facade is made of 6,609 square meters of glass divided into 1,664 mirrored panels, reflecting its surroundings. This integration with the environment enlivens the area and connects with the park and nearby buildings.

Artifacts are stored and displayed according to their climatic needs rather than movement or era. The climate-controlled storage spaces are organized into five zones based on material types: metal, plastic, organic/inorganic, and photography.

The atrium, featuring crisscrossing staircases and suspended glass display cases, is the building’s centerpiece. Visitors can see exhibitions selected by curators, leading them to exhibition rooms and studios, offering a behind-the-scenes look at museum operations.

Art is displayed throughout the building, starting from the ground floor lobby to the rooftop restaurant. The rooftop forest, accessible via an express elevator, features 75 multi-stemmed birch trees, offering breathtaking views of Rotterdam.