The Belgian architectural firm Robbrecht & Daem is starting a lawsuit against Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam. The architects do not agree with the demolition of the glass side wing of the museum, which they designed and which was added in 2003.
The museum is being thoroughly renovated and will therefore be closed until 2028. Among other things, the electricity supply will be renewed and asbestos will be removed. But in addition to these necessary adjustments, the museum and the municipality of Rotterdam want to use the closure for an even larger renovation, including a part of new construction. Architectural firm Mecanoo has made a plan for this. Robbrecht & Daem’s glass side wing, which cost 17 million euros, is no longer included in that plan and must therefore be knocked down.
Until now, the money needed for the more extensive version of the renovation has not been arranged and only the necessary work has been started. If the larger renovation goes ahead, it will cost about 75 million euros extra. The city council of Rotterdam will vote on the renovation plans on Thursday.
‘Bad story’
The demolition plans, which are included in the proposal of the council, have gone down the wrong way with the Belgian architects. They find it strange that no good reason has been given why the building cannot be preserved. “We have constantly asked why and what is wrong with the building, but it remained unclear. What we heard is a bad story,” lawyer Arnout Groen told the regional broadcaster. Rhine estuary.
“These kinds of things are of course difficult for the architects. They built it and thus gave it away to the museum to use. The connection actually ends there, but because they see that it is handled in this way, they feel called to stand up for it. come,” said Green.
The lawyer also points out that the wing was built in 2003 to prepare Boijmans for the future. The Belgian architects therefore want an alternative plan to be considered, whereby their wing will simply remain standing.
It is not yet known when the lawsuit will be filed. The museum could not be reached for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
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