Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 2 of 28Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Exterior Photography, CityscapeNaturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 4 of 28Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Exterior Photography, Brick, FacadeNaturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - More Images+ 23

  • Design Team: Michiel Riedijk, Willem Jan Neutelings, Frank Beelen, Kenny Tang, Guillem Colomer Fontanet, Jolien Van Bever, Inés Escauriaza Otazua, Marie Brabcová, Cynthia Deckers
  • Clients: Naturalis Biodiversity Center
  • Collaborators: Studio Tord Boontje, Iris van Herpen
  • Costs Consultant: IGG / Bointon de Groot
  • City: Leiden
  • Country: The Netherlands
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

Text description provided by the architects. Naturalis, the Dutch National Biodiversity Center, designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects in collaboration with fashion designer Iris van Herpen brings science and the public together in a new spatial ensemble.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Cityscape, Windows
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

Naturalis is the national research institute for biodiversity dating from 1820 which was founded by King Willem I in Leiden, The Netherlands. The institute with a long and rich history experienced exponential growth in the last decade which led to an urgent necessity to renovate. The number of visitors increased rapidly to 400.000 per year. The new future proof Naturalis brings the growing collection of 42 million objects together (top five in the world). Its new state of the art facilities accommodates more than two hundred researchers whose studies are at the center of attention, contributing solutions to global issues including climate change, the decline of biodiversity on earth, food supply, and water quality. The Naturalis facilities and the collection enable us to contribute solutions at the highest level. At the same time, the new museum offers the chance to show the public the wealth and beauty of nature.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 2 of 28
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

The institute’s new design forms a sustainable ensemble of existing buildings and new-build, with each activity housed in a specific form. The central atrium connects the various parts of the institute: the existing offices and depots with the newly built museum and laboratories. The design of the atrium consists of a three-dimensional concrete structure in the form of interlocking molecules as a lace of ovals, triangles, and hexagons. The filtered light that enters through the circular windows as a ‘glass crown’ where scientists, staff, students, and families meet, reinforcing the monumentality of the space. 

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 4 of 28
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 18 of 28
Ground floor level
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 10 of 28
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

Public functions such as the restaurant, the shop, and the exhibition hall can be found on the ground floor where passers-by can catch sight of the examinations of the last whales washed ashore. The main staircase leading up to exhibitions resembles a mountain path, becoming narrower at the top with enough space to welcome Trix, the sixty-six million years old T-Rex which has been given pride of place in the Dino Era gallery.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 16 of 28
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

The exterior of exhibition halls with stone blocks in horizontal layers mimics a geological structure. Its travertine variety of stone used has developed natural crystals over the span of eons, creating a beautiful sparkle. The layers of stones are interrupted by friezes of white, concrete elements designed by a famous Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen. Invited by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, she designed a total of 263 panels, inspired by the natural shapes of the collection which seem to be smooth as silk, thanks to a special technique developed for Naturalis. Such a resemblance to fabric is a nod to the innovative dresses designed by Van Herpen for celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Image 9 of 28
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

Inside the museum, Dutch designer Tord Boontjeknown for his lighting, furniture, and fabrics with exquisite floral and animal motifs, shows almost 100 striking and colorful wall panels. They are visual stories that blend photography and drawing to reveal the wonders of the natural world. The project covers a total of around 38,000 m2 of which 18,000 m2 of renovation and 20,000 m2 of new construction.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

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Project location

Address:Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden / Neutelings Riedijk Architects" 30 Aug 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/924031/naturalis-biodiversity-center-leiden-neutelings-riedijk-architecten> ISSN 0719-8884

© Scagliola Brakkee Fotografie

荷兰国家生物多样性中心 / Neutelings Riedijk Architecten

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