Fenix museum

P R OJ E C T

M AGA Z I N E

Fenix museum An architectural and engineering masterpiece in Rotterdam

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20250918.EN

Fenix museum Every detail of the design breathes innovation, craftsmanship, and a profound respect for history.

You get that view from the Tornado, which rises above the historic harbour warehouse like a sparkling beacon. As co‑architect of Fenix, EGM was responsible for the Tornado’s technical design and detailing. With careful attention to the past and an eye to the future, the project brings together technology, history and architecture to create a unique new urban place.

© EGM architects

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Building on history The choice of location is no coincidence. The San Francisco warehouse dates back to 1923 and was, at the time, the largest transhipment warehouse in the world. Designed by architect Cornelis van Goor and built on behalf of the Holland-America Line, the warehouse was 360 metres long. Along these same quaysides, millions of people either left Europe behind or started a new life here. The warehouse still exudes the dynamic urban history that continues to resonate today. Its restoration required deep respect for this layered past. Rotterdam-based firm Bureau Polderman developed the restoration plan, bringing the building back to its characteristic 1950s style.

Structural challenges, such as sunken foundations and level differences, were solved ingeniously. Thanks to precise modelling and innovative methods — including cutting out building elements and using lightweight concrete floors — the old warehouse could be preserved and transformed for its new cultural and museum purpose.

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The first thing to say is that the gallery spaces are sensational. I seriously doubt any architect could have built from scratch anything better Edwin Heathcote – architecture critic of Financial Times

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© EGM architects

A meeting of old and new The design links past and present. Visually and structurally, the new Tornado hovers apart from the monumental building, with its mirrored stainless steel skin acting as a contemporary eye-catcher. The Tornado quite literally pierces through the roof—a three-dimensionally formed glass atrium canopy. Inside, the museum presents stories of migration: universal themes of farewell, belonging and identity are given space—both physically and symbolically—under a new roof. This creates room for reflection and dialogue at the crossroads of cultures and generations.

© EGM architects

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Floor plans and section A

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Begane grond Ground floor 1. Entree 5. Cafe 1. Entrance 2. Informatiebalie 2. Infomationdesk 6. Lift 3. Tornado trap, fast en slow lane 3. Tornado staircase, fast and slow lane 7. Museum shop 4. Garderobe 10 4. Cloakroom 8. Meeting Point 5. Café

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A 1

13. Bakery 13. Bakkerij 17. Service area 9 14. Keuken Plein 8. Ontmoetingspunt 10.

Gallery 14. Kitchen Plein 18. River 15. Kantoren 9. Toilet 11. Plein 15. Offices 16. Personeelsrestaurant 10.1 Museumgalerie 12. Kitchen 16. Staff canteen 3 Museumwinkel 4 9.7.Toilet

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Begane grond

1st floor 1. Tornado staircase 2. Lobby

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1. Entree

7. Museumwinkel

13. Bakkerij

2. Informatiebalie

8. Ontmoetingspunt

14. Keuken Plein

3. Tornado trap, fast en slow lane

9. Toilet

15. Kantoren

10. Museumgalerie 9. Offices 13. Bakkerij 11. Plein

16. Personeelsrestaurant

Begane grond 4. Garderobe 3. Lift1. Entree 5.5.Balcony Café 4. Espresso bar 6.

Atrium 2. Informatiebalie 6.

Lift

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Gallery Museumwinkel 8. 8.

Museum storage 12. Keuken 10. Service area Plein 14. Keuken Ontmoetingspunt

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17. Techniek

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3. Tornado trap, fast en slow lane

9. Toilet

15. Kantoren

4. Garderobe

10. Museumgalerie

16. Personeelsrestaurant

5. Café

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17. Techniek

6. Lift

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Section A-A 1. Entrance Veerlaan

2. Entrance Paul Nijghkade

1. Tornado trap

6. Atrium

2. Lobby

7. Museumgalerie

3. Lift

8. Opslag museum

4. Espresso bar

9. Kantoren

5. Balkon

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6. Slow lane cockpit

Doorsnede A-A

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© EGM architects

1. Entree Veerlaan

4. Lobby

2. Entree Paul Nijghkade

5. Espresso bar

3. Atrium

6. Slow lane cockpit

15 m

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The Tornado is a metaphor for the journey of a migrant Ma Yansong – architect MAD Architects

© EGM architects

© EGM architects

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Tornado slow‑lane detail

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aneel t.p.v. stalen krans

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constructie vs. glasdak)

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10. Geïsoleerde paneelvulling t.p.v. geveldoorbreking tornado 11. Zetwerk t.b.v. afdekken HWA

fiel t.b.v. deuropening

7. Buisprofielen met isolatie t.p.v. geveldoorbreking

12. Glasprofiel

eglazing

8. U-profiel

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9. Gepolijst RVS platen

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Legend 1. Primary structural support vs glazed roof 2. Curtain wall profile 3. Insulated glazing 4. Air curtain

5. Insulated stainless steel frame panel 6. Glass roof 7. Insulated box sections 8. U-profile

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9. Polished stainless steel sheets 10. Insulated panel infill 11. Cladding/flashing 12. Glass profile

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13. Emergency overflow 14. Rainwater downpipe

neel t.p.v. stalen krans

5. Geïsoleerd RVS kaderpaneel

10. Geïsoleerde paneelvulling t.p.v. geveldoorbreking tornado

nstructie vs. glasdak)

6. Glaskap

11. Zetwerk t.b.v. afdekken HWA

l t.b.v. deuropening

7. Buisprofielen met isolatie t.p.v. geveldoorbreking

12. Glasprofiel

lazing

8. U-profiel

13. Noodoverloop

9. Gepolijst RVS platen

14. Hemelwaterafvoer

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© EGM architects

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Inventive craftsmanship The realisation of the Tornado called for collaboration

swirling staircases and glass platforms are refined and

between international designers, engineers and

inviting, perfectly suited to the museum’s public function.

local craftsmen. Every component was meticulously

Ultimately, technological innovations—such as automated

studied and designed in detail: from the spaceframe

expansion and contraction systems—ensure the Tornado’s

with thousands of unique steel parts to the seamless

durability and reliability.

mirrored cladding that captures the daylight. The

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11. Dragende constructie

lazen balustrade

6. Glas verbinding

Houten vloer/afwerking

7. Dragende boogconstructie

12. Groen dak

oestvaststalen bekleding

8. Koofverlichting

13. Isolatie

Glazen dak

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Glazen dakconstructie

10. Glazen deur

Legend 1. Glass railling 2. Wooden floor/cladding 1. Glazen balustrade 3. Stainless steel cladding

Legenda

14. Bestaand daklicht pakhuis

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4. Glass roof 5. Glass roof structure 6. Glas verbinding 6. Glass connector

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15. Bestaande dakconstructie pakhuis

7. Structural arch frame 10. Glass door 8. Cove lighting 11. Structural framework 11. Dragende constructie 9. Door handle 12. Green roof

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13. Insulation 14. Existing warehouse skylight 15. Existing warehouse roof structure

7. Dragende boogconstructie

12. Groen dak

3. Roestvaststalen bekleding

8. Koofverlichting

13. Isolatie

4. Glazen dak

9. Deurkruk

14. Bestaand daklicht pakhuis

© EGM architects 5. Glazen dakconstructie

10. Glazen deur

15. Bestaande dakconstructie pakhuis

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Tornado cockpit detail

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Legend

Legenda1. LED strip

2. 6 mm stainless steel

1. LED-lijnverlichting

3. Cove lighting 4. Handrail

5. Steel space frame profile 6. Wooden flooring/cladding

6. Houten bekleding

2. 6 mm roestvast staal

7. Drainagegoot

3. Verlichtingskoof

8. Drainagebuis

7. Drainage channel 8. Drainage pipe

4. Leuning 5. Stalen spaceframe

© EGM architects

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A new urban perspective At 30 metres tall and clad in a glistening skin, the Tornado marks the renewed Fenix Warehouse II as a landmark on the banks of the Maas.

The building contributes to the vibrancy of Katendrecht and strengthens Rotterdam as a city that innovates while staying true to its soul.

By combining cultural heritage, bold design and attention to people and environment, this project builds a bridge between history and the future.

A new place for Ppeople Fenix warmly welcomes everyone. The design is open and inviting—attuned to both visitors and staff. This is reflected in the generous public staircases, wide balustrades, anti-slip surfaces and broad escape routes that ensure comfort and safety. The new lobby, plaza and rooftop gardens encourage people to gather, connect and take in the view. Fenix offers not only a tribute to the past, but also a home for today’s stories.

Co-urchitectural role in design development Since the preliminary design phase in 2018, EGM has been responsible for the architectural detailing of both the transformation and the structural redevelopment of the warehouse, as well as the technical elaboration of the Tornado and the new museum lobby. Additionally, EGM served as co-architect for part of the structural shell. From EGM, Powered by EGM oversaw all phases — from preliminary through to final, technical and construction design, and the execution phase. All architectural work was modelled entirely in BIM, from which all design and working drawings were derived.

As BIM manager, Powered by EGM also coordinated all partner models throughout the project

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© EGM architects

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Fenix gives voice to the stories and experiences of migrants from all over the world. The story of Fenix is the story of Rotterdam, the world, and of you Anne Kremers – Director of Fenix

Facts and numbers Client

Mechanical engineering and electro

Lift systems

Stichting Droom & Daad, Rotterdam

technical consultant

Lakeman Liften, Katwijk aan Zee

Architect

Bosman, Amersfoort

Drawings

MAD Architects, China

DWA, Bodegraven

MAD Architects, China

Bureau Polderman, Rotterdam

Acoustic/building physics consultant

EGM architects, Dordrecht

(conservation architect)

LBP Sight, Nieuwegein

Photography

EGM architects, Dordrecht

General consultant

IFS Building Systems | Iwan Baan

(co-architect)

LBP Sight, Nieuwegein

| Titia Hahne Photography | Gregg

Interior architect

Lighting consultant

Telussa | Iris van den Broek | Mounir

MAD Architects, China

Beersnielsen lichtontwerpers, Rotterdam

Raji | EGM architects

EGM architects, Dordrecht

General contractor

Size 16.210 m² bvo

BIM coordination

Dura Vermeer, Rotterdam

Design period 2018-2025

Powered by EGM, Dordrecht

Mechanical engineering and electro

Year of completion 2025

Structural engineer

technical systems

IMd Raadgevende ingenieurs, Rotterdam

De Bosman Bedrijven, Dordrecht

EGM Architecten B.V. is an autonomous and independent consultancy firm that has no conflict of interest with any other organization. The information in this document is - in accordance with intellectual property rights - without exception the property of EGM Architecten B.V. The information provided may not be reproduced or shared in whole or part by any means without the prior written permission of EGM Architecten B.V. EGM interiors is a trade name of EGM Architecten B.V.

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EGM architects Wilgenbos 20 3311 JX Dordrecht +31 78 6330 660 The Netherlands info@egm.nl www.egm.nl