The Dutch Photo Museum, housed since 2007 in the Las Palmas building on the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam, is preparing to move to the monumental Santos warehouse in the Katendrecht district of Rotterdam. The national monument was built in 1901 – 1902 and is one of the last warehouses from that era in the area. The characteristic facades of this building are unique because of the loading dock doors, arched windows and beautifully decorated brickwork. Originally built as a coffee warehouse, it is now being redeveloped into a leading museum of photography. With this new location, the Dutch Photo Museum aims not only to better present and preserve its collection, but also to appeal to and inspire a wider audience.

The warehouse has closed facades and minimal daylighting. This provides tremendous opportunities for the preservation of the collection of more than six million photographs and fragile photographic objects. After the renovation, the building will have eight floors, consisting of several exhibition rooms, educational facilities, a depot for the collection, an extensive photo bookstore and library, and a museum café on the first floor. We are also taking advantage of the special location on the Rijnhaven (which is undergoing major development) and opposite the Kop van Zuid. In particular, we will do this by realizing a restaurant on the sixth floor. This restaurant will have a panoramic view of Rotterdam’s skyline. An important part of the new museum is the Gallery of Dutch Photography, which shows the highlights of national photographic history. In this way we are turning a monumental warehouse that has been empty for years into a leading center for photography.

As STEAD, we are closely involved in this prestigious project. On behalf of the Dutch Photo Museum, we are responsible for the project and design management of this ambitious transformation. We guide the process from the very first initiative to the final realization. There is only 2 years between purchase and opening, which means that the planning is very ambitious. Therefore, we are short on both planning and execution. In this way we ensure optimal cooperation between architects, consultants and executing parties. With an eye for cost control. Our goal is to realize a leading center for photography. A museum where both the rich collection and new exhibitions are given a prominent place. A place where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of photography.