I have to admit I was a bit shocked by this museum's appearance. My mind tried to wander towards a negative impression, I started to think it is ugly, but the closer I got and the more I saw of it, the prejudice faded and turned into wowness. The photos aren't good enough to give the right impression of how amazing it is. At the end of this post you'll find a link to a website with better photos of the museum.
Some
wiki info:
The radically modernist structures forming the Groninger Museum stand in a canal opposite a railway station consist of three main pavilions: a silver cylindrical building designed by Philippe Starck,[2] a yellow tower by Alessandro Mendini, and a pale blue deconstructivist space by Coop Himmelb(l)au.[3] A bridge that connects the museum to the train station is part of a cycling and walking path to the central city.
The architecture's futuristic and colourful style echos the Italian designs of the Memphis Group. Mendini, a former member of the firm who is noted for his furniture and industrial designs, was asked by museum director Frans Haks in 1990 to design the new museum.[4] Haks wanted something extravagant and insisted on non-architects to create the conceptual studies. American artist Frank Stella was originally approached to design one of the pavilions, however, his plan turned-out to be too expensive because he wanted his structure completely built out of Teflon. The municipality then invited Coop Himmelb(l)au to replace him for the commission.
The museum was mainly paid for by Gasunie, the Dutch national natural gas utility. The company was celebrating its 25th anniversary and wanted to give the city of Groningen a present. Haks, wanting to move out his of the old and insufficient exhibition space, suggested a new museum building. Gasunie agreed to Hak's proposal and granted 25 million guilders for the project.
Alderman Ypke Gietema, a strong proponent of the new museum, was responsible for siting the museum at its present location despite acrimonious objections. During site preparation, protesters managed to halt construction in high court for one year. Citizen's objections centered on the controversial design, fearing their homes would not sell with such a peculiar and eccentric structure nearby. Despite controversy, building resumed in 1992 and it was completed in 1994. Local residents had to get used to the shapes and colours of the building, but it soon became a popular success.
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| This is the above mentioned yellow tower by Alessandro Mendini. |
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| Dramatic staircase by Mendini. |
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| Below water level. |
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| Phil becomes one with the building. |
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| This woman chose the colours of her outfit very carefully. |
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| Door handle with personality. (Art direction of this photo by Phil). |
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| Floating stairs. The design might be by Coop Himmelb(l)au but I'm not sure. |
Info center designed by Jaime Hayon.
Check here for better photos:
http://www.weheart.co.uk/2011/02/09/the-groninger-museum/
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