Biesbosch Museum Island
Studio Marco Vermeulen
After an eight-month renovation, the
Island. Building, interior, water model
For most visitors, the Biesbosch Museum
Biesbosch Museum reopened to the
and freshwater tidal park were designed
is the starting point for exploring the
public this summer. The museum has
by Studio Marco Vermeulen, and the
Biesbosch National Park. The museum,
been completely transformed and
exhibition was designed by Studio Joyce
however, was outdated and not equipped
extended with a new wing that opens to
Langezaal.
to accommodate the growing visitor
its beautiful surroundings and houses a
restaurant and temporary exhibition space
for contemporary art. The permanent
exhibition that explains the historical
development of the region has also been
totally revamped. A large water model
of the Biesbosch and a freshwater tidal
park are also planned on the Museum
44 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 17
Water safety was the key reason for the
development of the Biesbosch Museum
Island. As part of a national water safety
programme, the 4450-hectare Noordwaard
polder has been turned into a waterretention area. Outlets on either side of the
Biesbosch Museum were dug to create a
new island.
numbers. A lack of adequate catering
facilities was particularly urgent. Moreover,
the presentation of the collection needed
an overhaul. In 2012, some 35,000 people
visited the museum, while in the first three
months since the reopening, no fewer than
30,000 people visited the complex!