Close-up of one of the Giant Chandeliers, in the roof of the Atrium, in Rijks Museum, Amsterdam
The Atrium is a large entrance area, publicly accessible, created by covering two internal courtyards, encircled by the Cuypers’ brick buildings, and connected to one another by a gently-sloped tunnel, located underneath the main access passage. The space conceived by Cruz y Ortiz copes with the imposing Gothic architecture of the old palace by juxtaposing clearly-contemporary elements to it so to establish a coherent visual and functional framework, where old and new can coexist. Thus the decorated 19th century brick facades are counterbalanced by airy and visually light-weight elements, like the metal and glass roof, the two giant chandeliers overlooking the atrium and the pale-gray stone floor and cladding. The chandeliers play various roles: they perceptively “rescale” the imposing height of the atrium to a more human scale, at the same time providing lighting and an acoustical correction, by reducing the, otherwise excessive, sound reverberation time within the halls. Along with being visually excellent, the project also provides the museum with new, cutting-edge functional spaces, such as an auditorium, a shop and the “grand cafe”, as well as ticket and information desks and cloakrooms.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Rijksmuseum , Museum Square, Amsterdam, Holland
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, abstract, acoustical, amsterdam, architecture, art, atrium, baffle, chandelier, close-, contemporary, correction, cruz, dutch, elements, excellent, giant, glass, holland, installation, lighting, lights, metal, museum, ortiz, rectangular, rescale, rijks, roof, skylight, sound, truss, visually, windows
