Dutch fashion label Francon chose the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam to present its latest collection. This distinctive building, designed by the MVRDV architectural studio, serves as an archive for the museum of the same name, and is also the very first publicly accessible art depot.
It's worth noting that many museums, especially international ones, are only able to present 6-7% of their collections in exhibitions. The remaining percentages are kept in reserve, out of sight. A tradition that the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen wanted to break with the MVRDV competition. The design of the egg-shaped building, 39.5 m high, makes all the artifacts visible. A visit to the Depot is also an opportunity to observe the conservation and restoration processes, as well as the packaging and transportation of works of art. Surrounded by art, visitors are led up the building through the atrium by five large zigzag staircases, which take them to the exhibition rooms and curatorial studios, and also to the roof. The atrium is filled with 13 glass display cases showing a "lightly organized" and constantly changing selection of the repository's many treasures. Other works of art are packaged, hung on a rack, and displayed in a cabinet, but visitors can submit requests to see particular pieces.
https://www.boijmans.nl/en/depot
Netherlands - Rotterdam
Lisa Agostini