KUNSTHAL / OMA - ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS

SITE PLAN

It is located in a singular enclave that meets a double condition: the south facade is bordered by a large
avenue drawn over the dike, Maasboulevard; while the north facade, at a lower level, faces a conventio-
nal contemplative landscape, Museum Park.
In the context of the Museum Park, the building is seated face to face with the Architecture Museum in
a linear axis north-south through the park.
The entrance to the museum from the dike level creates new spatial conditions for programmatic place-
ment, visual connections and entry.

FUNCTIONS

The exterior volume is read and understood as a prism.

One of the first operations carried out for the design of the Kunsthal divides the initial volume into four
parts, crossing its two main north-south and east-west axes. Fragmentation is one of the most recurring
project strategies in OMA architecture.
In this building, the fragmentation is specified by ramps that define a continuous pedestrian circulation
and divide the functional areas: auditorium, restaurant and offices, on the one hand, and exhibition halls,
on the other. On the one hand, on the north-south axis, the ramp becomes a public space that bridges
the difference in elevation and connects the avenue with the park, crossing the building. In this place it is
difficult to define whether we are inside or outside; this element is also the link between the interior and
exterior of the gallery. A stepped ramp (connecting the auditorium with the terrace) is located above, at
a certain distance, running in another direction. Intersections are formed that convey a feeling of insta-
bility and uneasiness.
On the other hand, the east-west axis becomes a road for road traffic, parallel to Westzeedijt.

Once the building has been divided into four parts, the objective will be to connect these autonomous
spaces by means of a continuous spiral.
The different floors of the building are bent to favor the connection between the program, establishing
at that point the free section as a project strategy.
The auditorium is installed on a stepped ramp with a reverse slope to the rest of the building’s circula-
tion. Under this is located the restaurant.

CIRCULATION

By designing the building thinking of it as a path, the architect manages to create an architecture based
on movement. During the access path to the first exhibition hall, located at the height of the park, the
visitor encounters descending stairs and a perspective of the park that gradually opens as the route pro-
gresses. From this room there is access to an internal ascending ramp, parallel to the external pedestrian
ramp and separated from it by glass, which leads to a second exhibition hall. This room with views over
the boulevard, is at the level of the dike. From this point you can cross to the west side of the building,
where a third smaller exhibition hall is located and then access the landscaped roof.