In the historic village of Nuenen, Diederendirrix designed an extension to the Van Gogh Village Museum called the Vincentre. The design layers architectural allusions to the works of the peasant painter Vincent Van Gogh from his time in the village.
Context:
Van Gogh returned to his hometown in 1883 to live with his parents at the vicarage on de Berg. The then 31-year-old, honed his skills as an artist by drawing inspiration from the rural life of farmers, workers and weavers. The place stands as a testimony to a quarter of his life’s work, including the notable Potato Eaters.
The museum offers a captivating journey into the later years of Vincent Van Gogh's life. Previously housed in the town hall, the exhibit faced limitations in space and required rejuvenation.The new extension by Diederendirrix thus architecturally reflects the stories and style of the legendary artist.
Drawing inspiration from the historical parcellation, the new structure reflects the charm of the traditional Dutch 'Langskap' farms that existed in the past. Additionally, the entrance of the museum takes on a novel approach by incorporating a redesigned version of the original partial doors, which gracefully form an arch and open the building towards the village.
The arch not only connects the museum with the surrounding environment but also directs attention towards the nearby vicarage where Van Gogh's parents resided, as well as the neighbouring house, which held significance as the dwelling of the artist's forbidden lover.
Upon entering, visitors are pleasantly surprised by the distinct ambience of the museum, which stands in stark contrast to the typical sleek and minimalist galleries. Instead, they find themselves immersed in an intimate interior space, adorned with earthy hues, locally sourced poplar wood, and meticulously finished concrete floors. The ground floor houses various facilities including a cinema, café, and offices.
Notably, the atrium extending to the first floor offers captivating vistas both from within the museum and towards the outside. This landing serves as a connection not only to the adjoining building but also to a hall featuring rotating exhibitions and a cutting-edge Light lab, developed in collaboration with ASML, a prominent company in the Brainport region. In this extraordinary space, visitors can engage with light in a manner akin to Van Gogh's exploration of this element in his timeless paintings.
The artist's internal conflict between grandeur and modesty is evident in the ensemble of buildings, brought to life through a unique contemporary rendition of a classic barn situated beside the town hall. Emphasizing the shift from old to new, a narrower connection is created between the two spaces, characterized by a transparent glass corridor positioned at the upper level.
At the forefront, the new structure's roof, though expressive, takes on an inferior role to the neighbouring monument. Integrating seamlessly, the façade and roof form a cohesive entity, adorned with brown-fired clay tiles that pay homage to Van Gogh's affinity for natural materials and earthy hues.
In conclusion, the extension to the Van Gogh Village Museum takes one through a journey of the remarkable artist Van Gogh, capturing the essence of his time in the village and the rural surroundings that influenced his art.
