national military museum | Netherlands | 2015
Place
The Museum is sited with the utmost precision into its surroundings: the landscape of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The openness of the building creates a dialog with the view outside; the landscape becomes the backdrop for the collection. The vast exhibition space offers an impressive overview of the past, present and future of the Dutch armed forces. Like the step of a staircase the building bridges the height difference between the tree lined ridge and the airport heathland.
BRIeF
Landscape as allegory. A sensitive interpretation of history through rediscovering the voice and stories of the dormant landscape. Soesterberg is the birthplace of aviation in the Netherlands. The role of the site in World War II and in the Cold War are explained by restored buildings as well as landscape structures; such as the ‘reopened’ bomb craters. When it rains these craters turn into bowls of water capturing light and forming a habitat for diverse wildlife. The strong message the natural world conveys hope, ongoing peace, freedom and future security for life on this planet.
Design
Stepping outside the visitor enters a landscape designed to reveal a story. The close relation of the military with these surroundings are made readable within the landscape. There is a contrast between forest and heathland, open and enclosed spaces and in heights and ridges. The result is a ‘real’ context, a landscape that beckons to be explored; where open and enclosed, tough and sensitive, form a unison, looking natural, but all designed with intention.
