Extension Drents Museum

The most important aspect of Erick van Egeraat’s design for the new entrance and extension of the Drents Museum is the consistent integration of the museum into the fabric of the city. A balanced play of building, landscape and water, creates a new identity for the extended museum, emphasizing both the scenic character and the cultural-historic face of the city centre of Assen. The new exhibition wing covers 2 000m², all under ground. Its staggered, organic roof consists of a public garden that connects the existing city parks. Openings in the roof allow daylight to enter the exhibition spaces below.

The existing coach-house serves as the museum’s new main entrance. Its historic facade is left untouched, but the entire building has been lifted off the ground and onto a spectacular glass plinth. During the day, the glass plinth allows light to enter the building. At night, interior lighting highlights it in an elegant manner. The design by Erick van Egeraat won the international competition in 2007, the project was completed in 2011. In October 2012 the interior of Drents Museum received the award for 'best interior' at the Dutch Design Awards.

For over 160 years, the Drents Museum has inspired visitors with stories about archeology, art and history. The emphasis of our exhibition policies is on archeology. Archeological blockbusters are alternated by exhibitions about art, focusing on international contemporary realism and foreign artists from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By focusing on surprising and ambitious themes of international stature, the museum draws the attention of a large and varied public. In the Drents Museum you can discover, learn and interpret things.