Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Drents Museum

This is a project by (designed by) Erick van Egeraat and it is located at Assen, Netherlands. Project's program: Museum extension. There are twenty two images for Drents Museum.

: © J. Collingridge

Project details

Project name: Drents Museum
Location: Assen, Netherlands
Program: Museum extension
Area: Project Size: 2,400 m2
Year: Competition: 2007 (1st Prize) • Completion: 2011
Client: Provincie Drenthe
Project by: (designed by) Erick van Egeraat
Team: Architects: Erick van Egeraat, Frank Huibers • Associates: Aude de Broissia, Harry Kurzhals • Project team: Martha Gonzalez, Jeroen van Rijen, Michiel Verkroost • Contributors: Rudolph Eilander, Jurjen de Gans, Alvaro Gil Peña, Tobias Kogelnig, Igor Lusardi, Nils van Merrienboer, Cock Peterse, Marie Prunault, Aygul Shavalieva, David Spierings, Dimitri Suchin, Gerben Vos • Renderings: Viktor Fretyán, Peter Heavens, Jorne Jongsma
Others: Project Manager: Draaijer + Partners • Structural Engineer: Ingenieursbureau Wassenaar • Mechanical Services Engineer: Grontmij • Electrical Services Engineer: Grontmij • Quantity Surveyor: IGG Bouwkostenadvies • Light Consultant: Lichtpunt • Fire Safety Engineer: Peutz • Building Physics Engineer: Peutz • Security Consultant: DPM advies & management • Landscape Architect: (designed by) Erick van Egeraat • Interior Architect: (designed by) Erick van Egeraat • Models: Made by Mistake, Delft • Building Contractor: Geveke bouw • Contractor Mechanical Services: Wolter & Dros • Contractor Electrical Services: Croon Elektrotechniek

Project images

Designer's statement

The most important aspect of Erick van Egeraat’s design for the new entrance and extension of the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands, is the consistent integration of the museum into the fabric of the city.

A balanced play of building, landscape and water creates a new identity for the extended museum, emphasising both the scenic character and the cultural-historic face of the city centre of Assen. The new exhibition wing covers 2400 m2, all underground. Its staggered, organic roof consists of a public garden that connects the existing city parks. Openings in the roof allow daylight to enter the exhibition spaces below.

The existing coach-house will serve as the museum’s new main entrance. Its historic facade will be left untouched, but the entire building will be lifted off the ground and onto a spectacular glass plinth. During the day, the glass plinth allows light to enter the building. At night, interior lighting highlights it in an elegant manner.