Dordrechts Museum

The Dordrechts Museum accommodates one of the most important collections of Dutch Masters in The Netherlands. The existing building – an asylum converted to a museum in 1904— had become too small to show collections and temporary exhibitions at the same time. Furthermore, the climate control was outdated and not appropriate, therefore needing to be replaced.

The building has been extended and renovated. It now offers the visitor a continuous route throughout the museum. In the extension of the building, this circuit opens up into a ‘clear labyrinth’ allowing visitors to make their own journey through the exhibitions. The interventions are in clear contrast with the old building: the extension almost seem to float while unloading its weight on the ground floor. The new entry is fully transparent, as it is the ‘greenhouse’ that was added as a terrace to the restaurant. In this element, no construction other than glass is used.