National Monument Kamp Amersfoort / Inbo BV

Curated by Paula Pintos
MUSEUM • LEUSDEN, THE NETHERLANDS
Architects : Inbo BV
Area : 1126 m²
Year : 2021
Photographs : Ossip van Duivenbode, Mike Bink
Landscape architect : Juurlink [+] Geluk BV
Building contractor : Salverda bouw
Overall Responsibility : Jacques Prins
Architects : Tom Hartmanns, Igor Sokolov, Stephanie Zeulevoet
Project Coordination : Frans Timmers, Bart van Veen
Experience Design : Tinker imagineers
Willemien Meershoek En Floris Van Dijk : National Monument Kamp Amersfoort (NMKA)
Project Coordination And Management : Royal HaskoningDHV
Structural Design : Pieters Bouwtechniek
Building Physics : Deerns
City : Leusden
Country : The Netherlands

Textual content description offered by the architects. Seventy-five years after the liberation of the Netherlands from WWII, Nationwide Monument Kamp Amersfoort was due for an replace. Throughout WWII this focus camp housed 47.000 prisoners. In 2005 Inbo was commissioned to design a museum at this web site. The camp grew to become a spot for remembrance. After a number of a long time, the museum wanted a special presentation. In spite of everything, each new era seems on the previous in a different way. We took a recent take a look at this underexposed web site, of which nearly nothing authentic was left, and created an experienceable occasion. A part of the grounds of the Police Academy grew to become accessible. This meant we may begin utilizing the unique entrance gate, one of many few remaining genuine components of the camp. We related the camp web site to the forest.

As a result of not one of the authentic buildings had been left, we determined to create a design that centres on the expertise of vacancy and detachment. We mapped out a route via the empty exterior area to the brand new, underground museum and, by way of the prevailing pavilion, to the forest the place the execution web site is situated. This route from mild to darkish after which again to mild as soon as extra represents the expertise. Nearly nothing of the unique web site stays, so we needed to depend on recreating the sensation of isolation, loneliness and terror by different means. The primary theme is the route, the transition from the surface world, via a succession of gates and stairs. Guests leaving the museum observe the route up the steps. There, they face a direct view of the taking pictures vary with at its excessive finish monument ‘The Stone Man’ designed by Frits Sieger (1953). The architecture and the used supplies improve the expertise. The black color of the inside reinforces the transition from mild to darkish. The theme of the pavilion is ‘reflection’. Guests are confronted with their very own reflection. The poem by Armando on the entrance of the pavilion additionally hints at reflection. The brand new roll name space is surrounded by a fence product of Corten metal lamellas which implement the impression of being remoted from the surface world. A brand new open area with concrete footprints symbolizes the roll name space. Each focus camp had such a central level at which individuals needed to stand at consideration for lengthy intervals of time as much as 3 times a day.

We marked the perimeter of the vacant area by 4.5 meter excessive Corten metal fence slats. We reconstructed the previous ‘rose backyard’, the fenced-off space used to punish folks. We additionally constructed a mannequin of the unique camp. We moved the surviving murals again into their authentic location. {A partially} reconstructed cellar leads guests to the underground wing (1,126 m²) that homes the everlasting assortment and a short lived exhibition. There may be loads of room for schooling. Present themes are used to deal with common problems with proper and incorrect, bias and so forth. For one factor, this part exhibits that discrimination is of all time, not solely of WWII. The present 2005 pavilion accommodates the museum store and a hospitality venue. At a later stage the forested space will likely be specified by accordance with its authentic function as a manufacturing forest.

Robinson Adey