LIAG Architects has unveiled their design for a new art storage building. Commissioned by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the aim of the project was to create a large open space, while simultaneously meeting other needs such as protecting art that can't be exposed to daylight, controlling the temperature in certain zones, and using minimum amounts of energy to operate the building.
The 29,000 square-meter storage building is a simple volume designed not to reveal the organization of the interior. The entrance is a gold cladded arch shape, which opens the building towards an adjacent train station. The compact volume allows for the form to be expanded upon to create a larger facility if needed in the future.
The layout of the facility allows for art to be transported through the shortest routes possible. Each of the three floors contains one main corridor from which all spaces are accessible.
The design addresses the need to protect the artwork through both passive and active systems. The façade system utilizes a material that reflects daylight, but avoids glare. This material not only changes the building's appearance throughout the seasons, but also allows controlled amounts of light to enter into the storage spaces.
The temperature of the facility is moderated by an insulated skin and energy stored in the ground. Different programs within the building are situated in ways that meet their specific needs. Studios and offices, which can tolerate warmer temperatures, are located at the top of the building, while cooler storage spaces are located on the lower levels.
DESIGN TEAM: Thomas Bögl, Maja Frackowiak, Jordy Aarts, Erik Schotte, Arie Aalbers, Jeroen Moerman, Anna Gunnink, Clemens Rothleitner, and Jose Reviriego Machío.
