Page 58 - Studio International - May June 1975

Extensions to the

KröIler-Müller Museum

Otterlo, Holland, 1971

Architect: Prof. W. G. Quist

Hidden in the nature reserve de Hoge exposition is turned round by gradually
Veluwe, one of the few remaining original leading the viewer via the latest to the
landscapes relatively untouched by our oldest works in the collection. This was
sometimes over active Dutch hands, are made possible by closing the entrance of
the beautiful parklands of the the old building and guiding the visitor
Kröller-Müller Museum. This art reserve from his arrival via a group of large
consisted, until 1971, of a building beeches, past van de Velde's north
designed initially as a simple temporary elevation into the new extension. Here he
structure, by Henry van de Velde (1938) meets the linear concept of the
with a collection of drawings, paintings organization and via sensitive positioning
and sculpture as well as an ever expanding of view windows and walls, the viewer is
sculpture garden. both in contact with the exhibits inside as
With the need to extend the museum well as the trees, the sculpture and van de
the question was raised of how to provide Velde's building outside. Through the
the visitor with a consistent and use of modest materials and simple
chronological collection, taking into detailing the building results in a
account that a large amount of the pleasantly unpretentious appearance, a
contemporary sculpture is situated in the welcome contrast to some of the more
garden. The relaxed and low key answer pedantic works of art on display. In all,
by the architect, W. G. Quist reminds one an appropriate continuation of van de
of certain qualities of the Louisiana Velde's beginning, an unobtrusive blend
Museum in Humlebaek, Denmark. The with J. Bijhouwer's sympathetic
first phase of his design was completed in landscaping and a worthy neighbour of
1971 and the second phase is currently Rietveld's beautiful Sonsbeek Pavilion
under construction. only a few steps away. •
Both in the existing museum and in the Hubert-jan Henket 2
new extension the sequence of the

3

Interior van de Velde building
2 Sculpture pavilion, G. Rietveld
2 Plan of van de Velde building (shaded) and W. G. Quist's
extensions
New main entrance
5 Detail of W. G. Quist's extension

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