To present its latest collection, the Dutch fashion brand Francon chose to set up shop in the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. A unique building, designed by the architectural studio MVRDV, which serves as archives for the museum of the same name and is also the very first art storage facility accessible to the public.
It's worth noting that many museums, particularly international ones, can only display 6 to 7% of their collections in exhibitions. The remaining percentages are kept in storage, out of public view. This is a tradition that the Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot aimed to break with the support of MVRDV. The design of the 39,5-meter-high, ovoid building makes all the artifacts visible. A visit to the Depot also offers the opportunity to observe the conservation and restoration processes, as well as the packing and transport of artworks. Surrounded by art, visitors are led to the top of the building through the atrium by five grand, zigzag staircases, which lead to the exhibition halls, the curators' studios, and also to the roof. The atrium is filled with 13 glass display cases showcasing a loosely organized and constantly evolving selection of the depot's many treasures. The other artworks are packed, 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