OMD: lezing Lilian Calame

During Open Monumentendag, Lilian Calame gives a lecture about the turbulent building history of the Van Abbemuseum

More about the museum:

The Stedelijk van Abbemuseum is a national monument and was built in the years 1933-1935 after a design by architect Alexander J. Kropholler (1881-1973). The brick museum with characteristic bell tower above the entrance lies on an elevation next to the Dommel. In 1936 the art museum opened its doors.

In 2003 the expansion designed by Abel Cahen was completed, but a huge debate preceded that. In the first design, Cahen had devised the expansion of the museum at the front, but with that the beloved bell tower would disappear. Eventually there was an extension at the back.

This expansion was the perfect reason to also tackle the Dommel. That project was named Dommeltuinen. Among other things, a seven meter wide swamp strip was applied on the north side of the Dommel and an amphibian pool on the south side. At the back of the museum, De Dommel was widened into a "inner lake" with an adjacent terrace.

The bright pink Huisjesbrug was designed by the Eindhoven artist and architect John Körmeling. In the reeds at this entrance are the foundations of the oldest stone house in Eindhoven. Garden architect Piet Oudolf made a plan for the slightly sloping museum garden. Characteristic are the large groups of plants that are carefully matched in structure, inflorescence and color.

In the meantime, there are again plans to have the museum participate in the dynamics of the city. With the rapid growth of tourism and new residents, Eindhoven faces the challenge of staying attractive, sustainable and green. The Van Abbemuseum will contribute to this by transforming the outdoor space around the museum into a green place where residents and culture come together. The current temporary wooden decking of the entrance at Stratumsedijk 2 will make space for more vegetation, meeting and inspiration. By adding a staircase towards the old building of the museum, a through route to the Entrezijde on shore is created. The construction of this green outdoor space connects the museum better with the city.

(photo: Bas Gijselhart)