The hexagonal pyramids on the roof of this museum are now covered in a layer of grass, assisting the building settle into its marshland setting in the Netherlands (+ slideshow).
Rotterdam firm Studio Marco Vermeulen carried out the renovation of the Biesbosch Museum – a building with a number of pitched roofs – and extra a new wing for contemporary art.
The local background museum is located on a newly formed island in the De Biesbosch National Park, a wetland region surrounded by willow forests to the south-east of Rotterdam.
This setting prompted the architects to blanket the present building with a layer of herbs and grasses, transforming it into a miniature landscape of hills, pathways and streams.
A small search-out level carries on from the pathway to cantilever above the edge of the roof.
“The roof adds ecological value, making a sculptural object that reads as land art and, at the exact same time, manifests itself in the surrounding landscape,” stated the architects.
“A fold in the roof provides way to an adventurous mountain trail and a lookout post.”
Wedge-shaped windows draw organic light into the ground-degree exhibition spaces, and give the roof the physical appearance of a flap of turf that has been pushed upwards.
Relevant story: Vector Architects disguises mountainside neighborhood centre beneath sprawling grass roof
A small stream extends from the museum garden by way of one particular of the glass walls and across the floor of the extension.
Trenches dug about the museum maroon it in the centre of a new reservoir, which varieties element of a wider water-management scheme across the Netherlands called Space for the River.
More than 25 per cent of the country’s landmass sits below sea level, generating flood management a essential concern. A scale model of the undertaking will be installed on the island next spring.
“Water security was the essential cause for the improvement of the Biesbosch Museum Island,” explained the studio. “As element of a nationwide water safety programme, the 4450-hectare Noordwaard polder has been turned into a water-retention spot.”
The existing creating houses a long term exhibition about the historical past of the park, as effectively as a library, theatre and museum store.
An organic restaurant and art exhibition spaces are located in the new wing, which is affixed to the south-west of the original museum.
Triangular windows dot the roof, the place the museum’s offices are set alongside the Dutch Forestry Commission and the Park Board.
The layout of the creating is intended to minimise energy consumption.
Heat-resistant glass and the green roof help to insulate the creating throughout the year, even though a biomass stove maintains the temperature on cooler days. Water is pumped through the exact same pipework on warm days to support great the developing.
Wastewater is filtered by way of willow beds and the purified water redirected into the adjacent wetlands. The willows can be harvested and utilised as kindling for the biomass stove.
The museum before renovation
It is hoped the improvement in water high quality will aid entice salmon and sturgeon back to the area.
“The indoor pond at the restaurant hints at the return of the sturgeon,” stated the architects.
Photography is by Ronald Tilleman.
Project credits:
Architecture: Studio Marco Vermeulen
Exhibition style: Studio Joyce Langezaal
Venture management: Edion Bouw en Management
Framework: Raadgevend Ingenieursburo van Nunen, W5A Structures
Constructing contractor: Staton Bouw
Electrics: Drabbe
Climate system: WVI
Green roof: Van Helvoirt
Installations: Overdevest Adviseurs
Fire prevention: moBius Check with
Accessibility: Zet
Situation strategy – click for more substantial picture 
Website plan leading see – click for greater image 
Ground floor internet site plan – click for more substantial image 
Initial floor site strategy – click for larger picture 
Segment A – click for more substantial image 
Section B – click for bigger picture 
