archi-TecToNics

The Netherlands Architectural Institute [NAI] in Rotterdam is undergoing a major building renovation, and the Director, Ole Bouman, wants to transform it from a knowledge institute to a museum. He approached Archi-Tectonics to design a total view for the complete ground floor, including the entrance, the lobby, restaurant, auditorium and terrace. OMA, Rem koolhaas would then design the Exhibit Hall for the in-house collection.

The directors concept is based on achieving the following features; hospitable, inspiring, concerned competent and optimistic. His target groups are architects, culture consumers, adolescents and tourists. Important is also that the restaurant can function independent from the museum itself.

Archi-Tectonics’ design concept creates a strong base where spaces remain open, but zones are created through color and texture definition.  The space is defined by areas of “pantone shades of gray” thus allowing the softer gray of the restaurant to blend into the whites if the entry area. Furniture by Piet Boon, Moooi and Moroso, and carpets by Nani Maquina complete the whole. A large sculpture by Madeleine Berkhemer creates soft light in the bar area of the restaurant.

The restaurant, through the double height curtainwall extends outside, where a large terrace doubles the restaurant’s capacity in the summer. Here we find islands for relaxed and active seating, separated by green areas. The wood terrace floor extends inside to blur the in- and outside. As the terrace hovers over the reflection pond, low lighting is introduced to create intimacy on the terrace in the evening and to light the water from below.

INFO

Client: NAI

Project Type: Lobby, restaurant, auditorium and terrace

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Area: 8,100 sq.ft. // 750 m² 

Status: Completed Summer 2011

Design: Archi-Tectonics

Principal in charge: Winka Dubbeldam

Project Leader:  David Barr

Architect of Record: Rob van Houten

Archi-Tectonics Team: Victor Ortega, Jeff Gillway, Seong Mo, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Dario Cipelletti  

Consultants:

Suspended Sculpture: Madeleine Berkhemer

Photography: Archi-Tectonics