DEPOT. NEW STORAGE FACILITY AT THE MUSEUM BOIJMANS VAN BEUNINGEN IN ROTTERDAM

Abstract

In 2017–2021, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam raised Depot, its new storage facility. Located centrally, the Depot is surrounded by the park close to the main Museum building. A unique 40m-high ovoid bowl-like shape is covered with mirrors reflecting everything around, and the facility is to house the Museum’s entire collection (over 150,000 exhibits). Fully accessible to the public, the Deport features a rooftop city viewing platform and a restaurant. The costs and challenges implied by the construction of a storage facility located in the city centre, and in a park, substantially exceeded those of ordinary facilities of the kind in city outskirts. However, owing to its bold and fascinating design, the Depot can undeniably become one of Rotterdam’s architectural icons, turning into an unquestionable tourist attraction. At the same time, the Depot has provided the solution to the problem of the collection storage, previously amassed in underground rooms vulnerable to flooding due to the high water level. A skilful synthesis of the collection accessibility and modern storage functions, supported by an attractive location and an unusual architectural form make the Depot an extremely attractive solution for museum storage facilities.