Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten (Academy of Fine Arts)

The new Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten (Academy of Fine Arts) is housed in Amsterdam’s former cavalry barracks and stables. Van Velsen took ‘meeting” as his point of departure and, consequently, transparency and sight lines are central to his design.

Two new buildings have been erected in the inner courtyard: a central building with the main entrance, exhibition space and offices, and next to this a tower containing a library and media information centre. The new building development is linked to the first floor of the barracks by four transparent elevated walkways. The former barracks and stables have been converted into ateliers: large ones are situated on the ground floor, individual studios on the floor above. On the south side, the barracks have been punctured by one of the elevated walkways. This forms the entrance to the new canteen facing the water. (ARCAM/BM)