July 22: Rotterdam – Architectuurinstituut 1
The Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (henceforth NAi) is a museum/archive/library in the Museumpark, designed by Jo Coenen and built in 1993. The building comprises a strikingly varied collection of volumes.
1871
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1871.jpg)
Here, the NAi peeks out from behind the Huis Sonneveld, which we will see more of shortly.
1873
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1873.jpg)
Attached to the northern end of the NAi is a significantly stealth-fighter-looking sculpture (or sensory array???).
1876
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1876.jpg)
The archive wing follows the curve of Rochussenstraat and is elevated over street level, leaving this zoom zone underneath.
1889
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1889.jpg)
We went to the cafeteria for lunch. This palette of wood, concrete, and black steel is almost always a winning combination in my book.
1890
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1890.jpg)
Central circulation opens up just next to the cafeteria.
1892
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1892.jpg)
The tall glass volume has a rather unusual, and appealing, configuration of main structure outside the curtain wall.
1895
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1895.jpg)
Why, what can this Nordic-looking tower be?
1900
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1900.jpg)
Maybe I was just hallucinating it. Hmm, this curtain wall structure is neato.
1902
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1902.jpg)
There it is again! What is it?? (Hint: it's the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.)
1904
![](pix/architectuurinstituut-1/1904.jpg)
Concrete beams levitating over the museum store. What!