Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by the Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, is situated in Rotterdam’s Museumpark and functions as a publicly accessible art storage facility. Completed in 2021, the building challenges conventional museum typologies by emphasizing the logistical and conservation aspects of collection management rather than traditional exhibition formats.
Architecturally, the structure is bowl-shaped, expanding from a 40-meter base to a 60-meter rooftop diameter. Its mirrored façade reflects the surrounding park and urban landscape, creating a visual continuity with its environment while minimizing its footprint. At 39.5 meters tall, the building maximizes internal volume and incorporates a rooftop forest and restaurant, adding a layer of public amenity to the design.
Internally, the depot stores approximately 154,000 objects in climate-controlled compartments organized by material type, such as paintings, metals, organic materials, and photographs. Visitors navigate the building via a central atrium with zigzagging staircases, passing vitrines that display selected works. The facility also includes restoration studios, storage rooms, and viewing areas, offering insight into the operational side of museum work.
The rooftop provides panoramic views of Rotterdam and integrates green space into the structure. Unlike traditional museums, the depot foregrounds transparency, allowing visitors to observe conservation and storage practices that are typically kept out of public view. The project invites reflection on the evolving role of cultural institutions and the value of making behind-the-scenes processes accessible.
