July 22: Rotterdam – Architectuurinstituut 2

We headed back into the NAi to nose around some more.

2007

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Here you can see all the NAi's volumes at once: the brick one, the glass one, and the metal one.

2010

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The archive wing's fire escapes are certainly consonant with the industrial look of the rest of the wing.

2012

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A look back toward the Huis Sonneveld.

2013

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And in the opposite direction.

2026

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One exhibit contained intricate competition models — I forget whether all the buildings on display were unbuilt, and whether they were for just one competition. This model is pretty incredible just by itself even without being manifested in a full-scale building.

2030

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Eerie light, normal light.

2031

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Multiple levels of the glass volume.

2044

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On the glass box's upper levels are study areas. Here, an open stair up to the highest level.

2045

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Both of the study levels visible. It's quite an inviting environment, a nice mix of clean and warm.

2047

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The uppermost level is mostly just aisles by the stacks, with circulation aided by this cool wooden bridge in the middle.

2050

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The gaps in the floor augment the general open feeling of the spaces.

2054

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One of the glass box's exoskeletal posts.

2060

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Structure sky.

2062

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Upon departure, we gathered here along the main entrance, which slides underneath the archive wing.

2067

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Another curious floating concrete frame.

2068

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Just overhead, the elusive bridge to the archive wing.

2069

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In the large pool that NAi sits next to and over is this wonderfully surrealist sculpture.

2082

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It's daisy season!

2083

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The glass box proudly surveys its realm.

2084

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The NAi connects to the Museumpark street over this narrow bridge.