Symbiosis between a monumental building and running a museum

Thorough renovation and changed approach should restore World Museum Rotterdam to its former glory

World Museum Rotterdam was a mere shadow of what it had once been. Only a thorough renovation of the building and the return of all museum functions could avoid closure. The City of Rotterdam and the World Museum took the lead in thoroughly renovating the monumental building and creating a contemporary museum that fulfills an active and connecting cultural-societal role in the city. John Sijmonsbergen, deputy director and driving force behind the project, talks about the past, present and future.

Due to humidity problems, part of the interior had to be renewed.
Visitors everywhere now also retain an outside view and contact with the environment.

The monumental building of the World Museum Rotterdam, commissioned by Prince Hendrik, has been owned by the municipality of Rotterdam since 1885. Although this national monument at Willemskade 25, with its magnificent ballroom and view of the river Maas, had great strengths, it nevertheless had many limitations as a museum. Many renovations were carried out in different phases to optimize its operation: an extra floor, the integration of two adjacent buildings as museum and office space, and a box-in-box concept. But the World Museum fell into disrepair. On the first floor came its own star restaurant and the commercial aspect took over. The museum was still only decor and eventually the collection was even almost put up for sale. Moreover, the interior also showed a lot of damage due to poor regulation of humidity and heat. There were only two options at this location: renovate or close.

National Museum of World Cultures

Since May 2017, the World Museum Rotterdam has been collaborating with the National Museum of World Cultures. Together with the municipality of Rotterdam, they worked out a complete plan to restore the museum to its former glory in just a few years and create a perfect symbiosis between the monumental building and the successful running of a museum. The facade was reworked in the original colors and the window frames were renewed. The box-in-box construction was completely demolished, bringing back many details of the building, and the restaurant gave way to a museum cafe and store. The available space was also arranged much more efficiently. Exhibits will be arranged by floor, and visitors will reach the desired location via one central monumental staircase or an elevator. Windows and doors provide the necessary contact with the surroundings. Furthermore, the climate control system was also in need of replacement, and due to humidity problems, part of the interior had to be renewed. 

The existing box-in-box construction you see here was completely demolished. The star restaurant had to make way for a museum cafe and store, and the legendary Children's Museum also returned.

A museum about and for people

The works are quietly entering the final phase. In early July, the legendary Children's Museum will be reopened as part of the World Museum. In the fall, the first and second floors will be put into use, and from mid-2020, the Rotterdam collection can once again be admired on the third floor. However, the new World Museum also aims to play an active and connecting cultural-social role in the city. Topical exhibition topics and social and educational activities inside and outside the museum - Hip Hop, Gender and Colonial Heritage - should help to achieve this. In this way, Wereldmuseum Rotterdam must become a contemporary museum about and for people.