Friday, March 2, 2012

Rotterdam Inside Out: The Netherlands Architecture Institute


Have you ever wondered what to do on a rainy day in Rotterdam? The answer will probably be ''Yes!''. Some of the most popular suggestions are going to the cinema with some friends, inviting some companions at home to have fun with them, or just staying at your bed and having a 'movie marathon'. How about visiting a museum?



There is no doubt that there are numerous interesting museums in Rotterdam.  Definitely, one of the most impressive ones is the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI). If you are eager to find it, you can easily notice it because of its unique architecture, of course!




            The NAI  attracts the attention of people of all ages for a variety of reasons. The NAI not only introduces a considerable number of outstanding exhibitions from all over the world but also allows the visitors to access significant architecture collections and archives. Furthermore, both professionals and students can gain a lot of  information about modern architecture, diverse techniques and important studies as well as participate in many heated discussions on that topic at the museum. Thus, they can gain in-depth understanding of the significance of human space shaping and innovative interior and urban design.

            Certainly, many people believe that the architecture museum in Rotterdam puts an emphasis on the specifics of the Dutch building styles and design only. But they are absolutely wrong! Although the permanent exhibition called ''Living in the Lowlands''  presents impressive photographs and models of the domestic style in the Netherlands, the NAI highlights many international architecture developments. Therefore,  some architects, designers and architectural displays from distant countries such as China are introduced in the museum. Hence, the visitors can get acquainted with both Dutch and foreign urban design, make a comparison and critically appreciate the differences between them.  So, international students and tourists and local visitors as well can have a good time in the NAI.

            For those who are interested in the Dutch approach to architecture and urban planning, the exhibition called ''Dutchville. Feel the City''  will be definitely extremely captivating. Undoubtedly, it can be characterized as 'bizarre' because it provokes contradictory feelings such as love and hate among the audience. The Dutchville manages to do that by presenting both the most alluring and the most foreboding parts and aspects of the city. Furthermore, the traditional Dutch town is presented as a combination of historical sites, industrial properties and modern buildings. Thus, everybody can find out which architectural style appeals him/her most. You will be suprised how immense influence the city and its urban design have on your emotions, feelings, and moods.

            However, if you are a Dutch resident who believes that there is nothing attractive about the architecture and spatial planning in the Netherlands or an international student that is eager to gain some knowledge about the architecture from around the world, you can visit the Daringdesign exhibition that displays the ideas of 8 prominent designers from the Netherlands as well as China. After gaining some insights into their projects, visitors can have a better understanding not only of those 8 designers' views on the design world but also of the 'architectural' differences and similarities between the Netherlands and China.

            Undoubtedly, one of the most crucial facts to mention about the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam is that it contains one of the world's most extensive architecture collections, numerous photographs, models and more than 35, 000 books and publications about architecture, latest news in that field and some other related disciplines. In fact, they are all accessible to the visitors who can look and read them in the NAI library and use them as both source and inspiration for a future research and delving into topics such as architecture, urban design, and spatial planning.


                                                             - Violeta P. 
            

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