July 22: Rotterdam – Architectuurinstituut 2

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

2007

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

2010

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

2012

A look back toward the Huis Sonneveld.

2013

And in the opposite direction.

2026

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

Eerie light, normal light.

2031

Multiple levels of the glass volume.

2044

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

2045

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

2047

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

2050

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

2054

One of the glass box's exoskeletal posts.

2060

Structure sky.

2062

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

2067

Another curious floating concrete frame.

2068

Just overhead, the elusive bridge to the archive wing.

2069

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

2082

It's daisy season!

2083

The glass box proudly surveys its realm.

2084

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