Museum aan de Stroom
| In collaboration with | Neutelings Riedijk Architecten Rotterdam |
| Project scope | 13,000 m2 BVO |
| Expertises | |
Construction of the Museum aan de Stroom
The main structure of the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) is a core of cast-in-place concrete. The walls have a thickness of 35 cm. Attached to this concrete shaft are cantilevered, floor-high steel trusses that follow the spiral movement. These support the concrete boxes containing the museum halls. The trusses perpendicular to the boxes also help in supporting them. Nevertheless, the force concentrations from the trusses exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the concrete core. To withstand the large forces from the trusses, steel bearing plates were embedded in the concrete.
Glass facade walls
A special feature of the construction is the glass facade walls, which are up to 11 meters high. Based on the BEE experiences gained at the Casa da Musica in Porto, wavy glass panels were chosen. Due to their height, the wavy glass panels support each other and are supported halfway by a steel tube acting as a wind brace. The tube is suspended from the box above by chains. These concrete boxes will move independently under variable loads. The top and bottom connections of the glass to the concrete must accommodate these movements. ABT has been closely involved in this project as a structural advisor.
Prize and nominations for Museum aan de Stroom
With this innovative concept, the MAS won the Belgian Steel Construction Award 2012 in the category of non-residential buildings. Additionally, the MAS was nominated for the Concrete Award 2011 (category utility buildings) and the Glass Award 2012.
Images © Sarab Blee, Scagliola Brakkee, and Toon Grobet.
