Landscape & Urban Design Issue 17 2016 | Page 44

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 The museum, been completely transformed and exhibition was designed by Studio Joyce however, was outdated and not equipped extended with a new wing that opens to Langezaal.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!