Cruz & Ortiz Architects - New Rijksmuseum

Final draft
Cruz & Ortiz Architects
New Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

Spanish architects Cruz & Ortiz were selected out of seven international offices to renovate the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The renovation will be the most extensive since the original four-towered building by Pierre Cuyper opened in 1885.

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

Presenting the final draft for the "New Rijksmuseum" Cruz said the most dramatic change will be the reopening of two courtyards that were filled with a clutter of small exhibition spaces in the 1960s. Today, they are divided by a dark tunnel used by cyclists and buskers.

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

Cruz and Ortiz propose minimal alterations to the building itself, they rather
seek to undo the damage done over the years. Their proposal envisions spacious, bright exhibition halls, better facilities, and a grand entrance hall. On the uppermost level they propose to ease orientation by adding a number of small windows, painted in muted colours so they won't compete with the works on display.

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

Great importance is paid to circulation and orientation and to maximize use of the existing stairwells. From the passageway beneath, visitors ascend escalators to enter a space connecting the east and west wings. Ticket desks are located in the light wells. The bicycle route in the original passageway is retained and the light wells are thrown open.

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects
The passageway in 1936

Located in the western light well are facilities for education and the entrance to the exhibitions. In the eastern light well is the shop and cafe. The light sculptures give a distinct ambience to each of the wells and improve orientation.

Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects

A new pavilion, built to house Asian art, is situated between the main building and the southern wing.

The renovation is scheduled to run from 2004 to 2008

Rijksmuseum

August 18, 2003

Cruz & Ortiz arcspace features





				Features
		Final draft Cruz & Ortiz Architects New Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Netherlands Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects Spanish architects Cruz & Ortiz were selected out of seven international offices to renovate the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The renovation will be the most extensive since the original four-towered building by Pierre Cuyper opened in 1885. Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects Presenting the final draft for the "New Rijksmuseum" Cruz said the most dramatic change will be the reopening of two courtyards that were filled with a clutter of small exhibition spaces in the 1960s. Today, they are divided by a dark tunnel used by cyclists and buskers. Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects Cruz and Ortiz propose minimal alterations to the building itself, they rather seek to undo the damage done over the years. Their proposal envisions spacious, bright exhibition halls, better facilities, and a grand entrance hall. On the uppermost level they propose to ease orientation by adding a number of small windows, painted in muted colours so they won't compete with the works on display. Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects Great importance is paid to circulation and orientation and to maximize use of the existing stairwells. From the passageway beneath, visitors ascend escalators to enter a space connecting the east and west wings. Ticket desks are located in the light wells. The bicycle route in the original passageway is retained and the light wells are thrown open. Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects The passageway in 1936 Located in the western light well are facilities for education and the entrance to the exhibitions. In the eastern light well is the shop and cafe. The light sculptures give a distinct ambience to each of the wells and improve orientation. Image courtesy Cruz & Ortiz Architects A new pavilion, built to house Asian art, is situated between the main building and the southern wing. The renovation is scheduled to run from 2004 to 2008 Rijksmuseum August 18, 2003 Cruz & Ortiz arcspace features