{"id":5702,"date":"2026-07-10T13:57:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T11:57:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.bureaurotterdam.nl\/verhaal\/roof-garden-with-trees-on-reflective-boijmans-van-beuningen-art-depot\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T15:04:15","slug":"a-mirrored-flower-pot-filled-with-art","status":"publish","type":"verhaal","link":"https:\/\/rotterdammakeithappen.nl\/en\/stories\/a-mirrored-flower-pot-filled-with-art\/","title":{"rendered":"A mirrored flower pot filled with art"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h4″ uncode_shortcode_id=”930702″]Architect Arjen Ketting: ‘In any other city, this wouldn\u2019t have been possible.'[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”871010″]With the Depot, Rotterdam gained a new icon. The mirrored building with its unique rounded shape draws countless visitors. They come to marvel at the spectacular architecture, to explore the art collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and to visit the rooftop forest 40 metres above the ground.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”778797″]Walk into the Museumpark and the moment you spot that gleaming bowl-shaped building, you know you\u2019ve arrived somewhere special: the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen<\/a>. Affectionately, and very Rotterdamly, nicknamed the \u2018flower pot\u2019 or \u2018salad bowl\u2019. The rounded fa\u00e7ade of the Depot reflects Rotterdam\u2019s skyline through 1,664 mirror panels.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”12282″ caption=”yes” media_lightbox=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”199303″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”954758″]The Depot is a breathtaking feat of architecture that draws 250,000 visitors a year. Since it opened in 2021, it has become one of the most visited art destinations in the city.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”872634″]<\/p>\n

First in the world<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Depot is the world\u2019s first publicly accessible art depot. It stands next to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen<\/a>, which is currently closed for renovation. The monumental building is being updated, modernised, and made more sustainable, and is expected to reopen around 2030.<\/p>\n

That makes it all the more valuable that the collection of 155,000 artworks, some of them world-famous, is safely and responsibly stored. And, above all, that you can actually see them.[\/vc_column_text]

We took a piece of the park and moved it up to the roof of the Depot.<br \/>\n<\/blockquote>[vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”789350″]<\/p>\n

A behind-the-scenes look<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the seven-storey building, you can view artworks from every angle, from the walkways, the stairs, and the lift. With a guide, you can also visit one of the storage rooms. And since museum staff are working there as you walk through, you get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the same time.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery el_id=”gallery-208468″ medias=”12285,12286,12287″ gutter_size=”3″ single_overlay_opacity=”50″ single_padding=”2″ lbox_caption=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”112776″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”173416″]<\/p>\n

A lost piece of park<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Depot was commissioned by the City of Rotterdam and designed by architect Winy Maas of Rotterdam-based MVRDV<\/a>. The building widens as it rises, like an upturned bowl. The diameter at the base is 40 metres; at the top, 60. This shape was deliberately chosen to sacrifice as little of the park as possible.<\/p>\n

Arjen Ketting was project leader for MVRDV. He explains: \u2018One of the key design principles was giving back the lost piece of park to the people of Rotterdam. We did that by taking a piece of the park and, in a sense, moving it up to the roof of the Depot.\u2019[\/vc_column_text]

We use that water to flush the toilets inside the Depot.<\/blockquote>[vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”186634″]<\/p>\n

Native tree varieties <\/strong><\/h3>\n

At 39.5 metres above ground, a rooftop forest has been planted, with 75 birch trees, 20 pines, and grasses. Not in pots, but with their roots in the ground. \u2018I chose multi-stemmed native tree varieties that are more stable and well-suited to our climate,\u2019 says Arjen. \u2018They\u2019re great for birds and insects and have real ecological value.\u2019[\/vc_column_text]

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