Boathouse Royal Barge, Amsterdam

The crowd favorite from the collection of the Scheepvaartmuseum, 'the Royal Barge,' is once again on display in the specially designed Shiphouse. After an eight-year absence and a thorough restoration, the barge now has its own floating showcase at the museum's dock. The design is understated and refined, featuring a closed wooden side with overlapping planks and an open glass side, allowing views of the barge both during the day and in the evening.

The Shiphouse maintains a museum-like climate, keeping the barge completely dry. The interior is dark and modest, ensuring that all attention is focused on the Royal Barge. The museum dock visually extends into the Shiphouse as a platform that brings visitors close to the barge. Stairs on both sides of the platform allow visitors to view the underside of the Royal Barge from all angles. The 'golden state barge' is essentially ready for use, and if the king wishes to take a ride, the barge can be easily launched through the northern facade of the Shiphouse. It is a unique housing in which the Royal Barge is perfectly showcased.

Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol
Team: P. Cannon, L. de Rouw
Number: 1301
Status: Built
Year: 2014 - 2015
Client: The Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam

Please download the project PDF for more info about this project.