there is a nice little sketch indicating how this dome fits within the historical context of Maastricht here: http://vanderleelie.hubpages.com/hub/bonnefantenmuseum#slide6530421
The museum is located in the part of the city called 'Ceramique', a former ceramics factory which was redeveloped from the early to mid-1990s onwards. In keeping with the Rossi approach, the area attempts to draw upon the elements of the 'European city', such as the street, the square and the block.
Thanks for the link Philip. Its fascinating how Rossi studied Mastricht and used it to inspire the design. Maybe you can report from local knowledge if it is a success as a building and place today?
certainly, the building is a source of quite a lot of pride within Maastricht. Purely from a design perspective, I am a bit unsure about the front of the building where the entrance is though (The road side out of shot in your image). While it is flanked on one side by one of the original industrial buildings (De Wiebengahal), there is something a bit lacking about the front area. It just opens up towards a roundabout. However, there is talk about reorienting the building so it has a greater presence both on this side (through glass insertions in the wall of the gift shop) and making more of the presence at the river-side, where the dome ('rocket') is located.
In terms of the larger Ceramique area, I am still unsure. It is quite pleasing from an aesthetic perspective (large apartments in blocks). Considering its original ideal draws upon the historic notion of European cities though, it never has a very lively feeling about it. I have to say though, I am unsure whether we should always expect places to be lively and vibrant. It feels like a comfortable residential environment interspersed by a few other land-uses. It also allows for a mixture of social groups to live in close proximity to the centre of the city. Anyway, just a few thoughts. You have made me want to look into it in more detail.
Hi Richard,
ReplyDeletethere is a nice little sketch indicating how this dome fits within the historical context of Maastricht here: http://vanderleelie.hubpages.com/hub/bonnefantenmuseum#slide6530421
The museum is located in the part of the city called 'Ceramique', a former ceramics factory which was redeveloped from the early to mid-1990s onwards. In keeping with the Rossi approach, the area attempts to draw upon the elements of the 'European city', such as the street, the square and the block.
Thanks for the link Philip. Its fascinating how Rossi studied Mastricht and used it to inspire the design. Maybe you can report from local knowledge if it is a success as a building and place today?
ReplyDeleteHi Richard,
ReplyDeletecertainly, the building is a source of quite a lot of pride within Maastricht. Purely from a design perspective, I am a bit unsure about the front of the building where the entrance is though (The road side out of shot in your image). While it is flanked on one side by one of the original industrial buildings (De Wiebengahal), there is something a bit lacking about the front area. It just opens up towards a roundabout. However, there is talk about reorienting the building so it has a greater presence both on this side (through glass insertions in the wall of the gift shop) and making more of the presence at the river-side, where the dome ('rocket') is located.
In terms of the larger Ceramique area, I am still unsure. It is quite pleasing from an aesthetic perspective (large apartments in blocks). Considering its original ideal draws upon the historic notion of European cities though, it never has a very lively feeling about it. I have to say though, I am unsure whether we should always expect places to be lively and vibrant. It feels like a comfortable residential environment interspersed by a few other land-uses. It also allows for a mixture of social groups to live in close proximity to the centre of the city. Anyway, just a few thoughts. You have made me want to look into it in more detail.
Thanks,
Philip