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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Transformation Stedelijk Museum Schiedam: MVRDV wraps interior of historical chapel in red shelvesJune 19th, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: MVRDV MVRDV completed its transformation of the entrance of Stedelijk Museum Schiedam. The museum for modern art, which is housed in a historical building transformed its central neoclassical chapel into an entrance, shop and café area. The transformation adds a visually clear element, a red shelf which contains all new program and treats the historic structure respectfully. The 500m2 transformation started last year and was recently finalised.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee
 Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee In 2006, the museum went through a renovation which relocated the main entrance in the basement, the stair leading to the reception area proved difficult to find. The centrepiece of the museum, the neoclassical Giudici chapel lay neglected and lacked good acoustic quality.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee The MVRDV design unites all the demanded programme in a series of large book shelves, they contain the reception desk, wardrobe, the museum store, the cafe counter and various presentation spaces for art and products for sale. The chapel was built in 1787 by Jan Giudici as spiritual centre for a guesthouse for the poor elderly and sick with a sober, greyish interior. The bright red colour was chosen to act as a warm element, making a clear juxtaposition between the old and new and to pay respect to the former sacral function of the space.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee Nathalie de Vries said: “With one clear and monumental gesture, we have combined many functions whilst at the same time keeping the space as open and usable as possible. The design is respectful towards the impressive and grandiose yet at the same time austere chapel, whilst adding qualities the space lacked, providing new functions.”  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee As the chapel is a listed monument the transformation could not change the existing structure, the shelf is constructed in MDF and respectfully meanders around the historical elements such as windows, columns and the organ – framing them at the same time. The small distance between the shelf and the elements also mediates between the perfectly level new addition and the oblique historical structure. Perforations in the backs of the shelves avoid problems with humidity. The higher shelves play an acoustic role whilst others highlight products by using built in LED armatures.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee Due to its light construction the shelf can be removed at any time without leaving a trace in the monument. MVRDV realised the transformation together with ABT structural engineers. Coors Interior has realised the new shelves. The large chandelier in the space and lighting fixtures are designed by Viabizzuno.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee Stedelijk Museum Schiedam is a municipal museum for modern art and owns a fine collection of works by artists such as Karel Appel, Lucebert, Constant and Corneille. The museum is located in Schiedam’s historical town centre, a quintessentially Dutch town with canals, churches and many wind mills of gin distilleries. The transformation was made possible with the support of Bankgiro Lottery, Foundation Schiedam Vlaardingen, De Groot Foundation and the Municipality of Schiedam.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee MVRDV was set up in 1993 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries. MVRDV engages globally in providing solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues. A research based and highly collaborative design method engages experts from all fields, clients and stakeholders in the creative process. The results are exemplary and outspoken buildings, urban plans, studies and objects, which enable our cities and landscapes to develop towards a better future. Early projects by the office, such as the headquarters for the Dutch Public Broadcaster VPRO and WoZoCo housing for the elderly in Amsterdam lead to international acclaim. MVRDV develops its work in a conceptual way in which the changing conditions are visualised and discussed through designs, sometimes literally through the design and construction of a diagram.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee The office continues to pursue its fascination for and methodical research on density using a method of shaping space using the complex amounts of data that accompany contemporary building and design processes.The work of MVRDV is exhibited and published worldwide and has received numerous international awards. Seventy architects, designers and other staff develop projects in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative design process which involves rigorous technical and creative investigation.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee MVRDV works with BIM and has official in-house BREEAM and LEED assessors. Together with Delft University of Technology, MVRDV runs The Why Factory, an independent think tank and research institute providing an agenda for architecture and urbanism by envisioning the city of the future.  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee  Image Courtesy © Daria Scagliola & Stijn Brakkee
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