ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

EXHIBITION PAVILION DELTA PARK

NOX, K. OOSTERHUIS, 1993-1997, Faelweg 5, Werkeiland Neeltje Jans

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Kas Oosterhuis

ARTIST:
Ilona Lénárd

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
NOX
Lars Spuybroek
Maurice Nio

BUILDING TYPE:
Museums and exhibition buildings

Once the Oosterschelde https://www.architectureguide.nl/project/item/prj_id/790" class="inline_link">storm-surge barrier was in place, the artificial island used to construct it (Neeltje Jans) needed a new function. First, Wim Quist designed for it a https://www.architectureguide.nl/project/item/prj_id/791" class="inline_link">workshops and exhibition building (1980-1985). Then Ashok Bhalotra designed a landscape for the island to include a modest theme park and this exhibition pavilion devoted to the water cycle. Lars Spuybroek and Kas Oosterhuis, the two winners of a limited competition, each designed their own portion, these being the freshwater and salt-water parts respectively. This extraordinary example of ‘fluid architecture’ lies like an amorphous body, a segmented arthropod, where land meets water. It is a true hybrid, seeing that the two architects designed their parts pretty much independently before combining them. The building was partly computer-designed and elaborated though built traditionally. Spuybroek’s freshwater pavilion rises in an organic complexity of form from a heavy concrete tray. By contrast, Oosterhuis’s sleek salt-water pavilion cantilevers above the waves.