Mecanoo has unveiled its proposal for the Maritime Center Rotterdam, a spiralling museum that will be wrapped by walkways and built partially below the water in Rijnhaven harbour.
Composed of three linked pavilions, the 15,000-square-metre museum in the Dutch city of Rotterdam will feature exhibition spaces dedicated to international maritime history.
Its bright, sinuous form has been developed by Mecanoo to deliberately contrast with the "rational" aesthetic of the port and attract the attention of passersby.
Maritime Center Rotterdam will be built in the Rijnhaven harbour. Visual is by AtChain, courtesy of RED Company
"It is elegant, versatile and invites you to discover," Mecanoo explained.
"It will be a place for maritime entrepreneurs, science and culture. The centre will be accessible to the public and will create a place to stay, on and in the water, with a view of the surrounding port." It has been designed to contrast with its surroundings. Visual is by AtChain, courtesy of RED Company
Mecanoo will create the spiralling form of the Maritime Center Rotterdam through a series of walkways and viewpoints, which will weave in and around the three individual pavilions.
At its edges, these walkways will unravel like a "ribbon" and span outwards to meet existing paths surrounding the port, including a jetty path that runs over the harbour.
It will be linked to existing pathways around the harbour. Visual is by Plomp
"A multi-lay...