Mecanoo's design for the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen embodies vision and craftsmanship. The design focuses on five main principles: A welcoming entrance, improving logistics, enhancing the museum routing, restoring the national monuments Van der Steur, Bodon, and Henket buildings and connecting the museum with the city and the Museum Park.
The architectural concept is characterized by a clear intervention in the heart of the museum that connects all parts of the building. A sunken square marks the new entrance, providing visitors access to the Bodon and Van der Steur buildings, which will serve as exhibition spaces. The Robbrecht en Daem section of the building will be demolished, revealing the national monuments of Bodon and Van der Steur once again from the city.
The removal of this wing creates space for a logistical back-of-house solution for art, goods, food, and waste. The west courtyard will be covered and transformed into a multifunctional space. On the park side, a new museum entrance near the Henket Pavilion will connect the museum directly with the park. The pavilion itself will be repurposed as a museum restaurant.
The design has obtained broad support from the council, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and stakeholders such as the Committee on Environmental Quality and Cultural Heritage and the National Cultural Heritage Agency. The plan includes comprehensive restoration and renovation of the museum, emphasizing fire safety, sustainability, and preservation of its monumental values.