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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. Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, The Netherlands by Neutelings Riedijk ArchitectenFebruary 28th, 2020 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Neutelings Riedijk Architecten Naturalis is the national research institute for biodiversity dating from 1820 which was founded by King Willem I in Leiden, The Netherlands. The institute with a long and rich history experienced an exponential growth in the last decade which led to an urgent necessity to renovate. The number of visitors increased rapidly to 400.000 per year. The new future proof Naturalis brings the growing collection of 42 million objects together (top five in the world). Its new state of the art facilities accommodate more than two hundred researchers whose studies are at the center of attention, contributing solutions to global issues including climate change, the decline of biodiversity on earth, food supply and water quality. The Naturalis facilities and the collection enable to contribute solutions at the highest level. At the same time the new museum offers the chance to show the public the wealth and beauty of nature.  Exterior-nightview, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects
 Exterior-nightview, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects
 Exterior-ensemble, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  Facade-detail. Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects The institute’s new design forms a sustainable ensemble of existing buildings and new-build, with each activity housed in a specific form. The central atrium connects the various parts of the institute: the existing offices and depots with the newly built museum and laboratories. The design of the atrium consists of a three-dimensional concrete structure in the form of interlocking molecules as a lace of ovals, triangles and hexagons. The filtered light that enters through the circular windows as a ‘glass crown’ where scientists, staff, students and families meet, reinforcing the monumentality of the space.  Exterior-glass-crown. Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  Exterior-glass-crown, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects Public functions such as the restaurant, the shop and the exhibition hall can be found on the ground floor where passers-by can catch sight of the examinations of the last whales washed ashore. The main staircase leading up to exhibitions resembles a mountain path, becoming narrower at the top with enough space to welcome Trix, the sixty-six million years old T-Rex which has been given pride of place in the Dino Era gallery.  Interior-mountain-path, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  Facade-detail, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects The exterior of exhibition halls with stone blocks in horizontal layers mimicks a geological structure. Its travertine variety of stone used has developed natural crystals over the span of eons, creating a beautiful sparkle. The layers of stones are interrupted by friezes of white, concrete elements designed by a famous Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen. Invited by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, she designed a total of 263 panels, inspired by the natural shapes of the collection which seem to be smooth as silk, thanks to a special technique developed for Naturalis. Such a resemblance to fabric is a nod to the innovative dresses designed by Van Herpen for celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.  Sculptural-relief-Iris-van-Herpen, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  interior-detail, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects Inside the museum, Dutch designer Tord Boontje known for his lighting, furniture and fabrics with exquisite floral and animal motifs, shows almost 100 striking and colorful wall panels. They are visual stories that blend photography and drawing to reveal the wonders of the natural world. The project covers a total of around 38,000 m2 of which 18,000 m2 of renovation and 20,000 m2 of new construction.  Interior-detail, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  Wallpanels-Tord-Boontje, Image Courtesy © ScagliolaBrakkee / Neutelings Riedijk Architects  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten  Image Courtesy © Neutelings Riedijk Architecten
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Tags: Leiden, The Netherlands Categories: Campus, Laboratory, Laboratory and Office, Museum, Offices, University, University Building |
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