Tomorrow marks the opening of the new Museum MORE by Hans van Heeswijk Architects, showcasing Netherlands’ biggest collection of modern realist art. The new museum, an extension of Gorssel’s former town hall, is a private initiative and will open at 10am on Tuesday, June 2nd.
Image © Luuk Kramer
In 2012, Hans Melchers, the initiator of Museum MORE, decided to display his collection of modern Dutch realist art in the Achterhoek, a region in the east of the Netherlands bordering Germany. His eye soon fell on the former town hall of Gorssel.
Image © Luuk Kramer
Hans van Heeswijk Architects, known for the acclaimed museum Hermitage Amsterdam and the recent successful expansion of the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, was recruited to design an impressive lobby and seven spacious exhibition halls for the new museum.
Image © Imre Csany/DAPh
As the building progressed, the collection expanded thanks to the acquisition of additional works by Arnout Killian, Carel Willink and others. The public has not seen most of the works in the collection since 2009.
Image © Luuk Kramer
The historic part of the building, dating from 1914, has been renovated to become a museum cafe and event hall. The pavilion-like new museum structure is characterized by strategic sight-lines that make the most of the park-like setting. Besides exhibiting parts of the permanent collection, the building also offers space for exhibitions, administrative offices and a restoration workshop.
Image © Imre Csany/DAPh
The museum has an inviting appearance, clear layout and a surprising spaciousness. The architects have opted for a muted and calm colour palette, through the use of natural materials like stone, glass and steel.
Image © Imre Csany/DAPh
Museum MORE’s opening exhibition Look Sharp provides an overview of over 200 works of realist art from the museum’s own collection, covering the past 100 years. On display are works by artists such as Carel Willink, Pyke Koch, Jan Mankes and Charley Toorop, as well as more recent pieces by the likes of Co Westerik and Annemarie Busschers.
Image © Imre Csany/DAPh
Image © Imre Csany/DAPh
Image © Luuk Kramer
Image © Luuk Kramer
Image © Luuk Kramer
Image © Luuk Kramer
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Image © Hans van Heeswijk Architects
Facts:
Design: 2012-2013
Construction: 2013-2015
Opening: 2 June 2015
Area of new extension: 4,100 m²
Original architect of town hall: Municipal architect A.J. Jansen – 1914
Client: Melmuseum Gebouw BV, Zeist
Location: Hoofdstraat 28, 7213 CW Gorssel, Netherlands
Architect: Hans van Heeswijk Architects, Amsterdam
Interior design: Hans van Heeswijk Architects, Amsterdam
Lanscape design: Michael van Gessel, Amsterdam
Structural consultant: Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Amsterdam
M&E consultant: Nelissen ingenieursbureau, Eindhoven
Supervision construction: Herder advies, Wijhe
General contractor: Koopmans | TBI, Enschede
E-installations: Croon | TBI, Apeldoorn
W-installations: Wolter & Dros | TBI, Warnsveld
Glass facades and skylights: Keers, Mijdrecht
Interior elements: Stooff Interior Projects, Eibergen
Natural stone: KROON, Projecten in Steen, Meerkerk
Panorama lift: Mitsubishi Elevator Europe, Veenendaal
Stairs and steel construction: Hofman Constructies, Vroomshoop
Photography: Luuk Kramer, Imre Csány/DAPh
*All images and information courtesy Hans van Heeswijk Architects.
