Anne Frank House
| In collaboration with | BiermanHenket architects |
| Location | Amsterdam |
| Expertises | |
Construction, project management, and supervision
Since the design by Benthem Crouwel Architects two decades ago, the museum has become one of the most important and heavily visited museums in our capital city. The increase in the number of visitors naturally affected the flow within the Anne Frank House. The recent renovation focused on the new entrance.
Similar to 1999, ABT was responsible for designing the structure, as well as project management and supervision during construction. This time, BiermanHenket architects handled the design, revising the layout of the entrance/ticket area, museum shop, café, offices, and educational spaces. To improve flow and better manage crowds, the new entrance hall provides clearer direction.
Structure based on archives
While the museum remained open to the public, the existing concrete structure was analyzed and modified. Using well-archived structural documents, it was possible to engineer the desired floor openings and numerous wall penetrations. Despite the robust concrete construction, extensive structural calculations were necessary.
Adjacent student residences were acquired to create additional museum space. In the garden between the rear house and the museum, a conservatory was built to connect the two buildings. For an elegant and transparent space, a combination of glass and steel construction was employed. Additionally, in the existing rear house, various openings were made in the existing wooden floors and structural walls to improve circulation.
Calm amidst the bustle
The challenges in project management and supervision were perhaps equally significant. For the construction team, maintaining the flow of visitors both inside and outside the museum was a considerable task. Intensive communication between contractor(s), museum representatives, and the project management team prevented unwanted situations and fostered mutual understanding, trust, and tranquility.
The project was divided into four distinct phases, applicable to both the museum and the contractor(s). Only at the detailed level did some adjustments by the main contractor, Salverda, become necessary. Additionally, the technology seamlessly aligned with these phases. After overcoming initial hurdles, the preparation and drawing control were streamlined using SharePoint, ensuring a sense of calm amidst the bustling environment.
Quick adaptation
From the construction site, ABT was able to swiftly coordinate with the contractor and client. This seamless collaboration also incorporated substantive updates to the museum, including three newly developed special display cases for Anne Frank’s writings as a shining example. On April 24, 2018, the ‘Anne Frank House Renewed’ project was completed on time and within budget, securing a sustainable future.
