Project Name: FENIX Museum of Immigration, Rotterdam
Client: MAD Architects
Model Scale: 1:100
Production Cycle: 20 days
MAD Architects hosted its largest retrospective exhibition at the Shenzhen Contemporary Art and Urban Planning Museum.
QZY Models efficiently handled multiple model customization tasks for the “Ma Yansong: Landscapes in Motion” special exhibition. Despite tight timelines, we engaged in efficient and detailed communication throughout the entire process with Ma Yansong and the team.
QZY Models showcased high professionalism in model design, production, on-site installation, and maintenance, contributing a series of intricate physical models to bolster the MAD exhibition and highlight its unique design philosophy and profound understanding of natural forms.
We plan to provide brief insights into key models from the exhibition. This article will focus on the background and design process of the FENIX Museum of Migration in Rotterdam.
Built-in 1923, the Fenix Warehouse, once the world’s largest, is being transformed into the Rotterdam Immigrant Museum by MAD Architects. The renovation includes a 360-degree observation deck and a connecting staircase.
MAD preserved the warehouse’s iconic green steel windows and concrete structure, adding glass facades and two stainless steel spiral staircases. The revamped Katendrecht Peninsula aims to connect the north and south of Rotterdam through exhibitions and cultural events. Construction started in 2020, with completion expected in 2024.
In creating the model for the FENIX Museum of Migration, the key challenge was replicating the intricate form, especially the “metal tornado” staircase. Considering 3D printing, we faced complexity due to the tornado’s shape, requiring a secondary design for seam concealment and precise line management (0.2mm to 0.3mm).
After four prints and three electroplating sessions, we achieved a flawless, seamlessly integrated component.
After completing the basic architectural structure, the next step involves creating the wood texture. Traditional methods like simple wood color spraying or veneer application have shortcomings. Thus, relying on the master’s technical expertise, we chose the hand-painting approach. This not only achieves texture authenticity but also avoids any material seams.
The allure of renovation projects often lies in the harmonious coexistence of the old and the new, showcasing a futuristic rotating staircase juxtaposed with the historically rich old factory.
We created a glossy stainless steel finish for the staircase, emphasizing its modernity.
Simultaneously, we used aging techniques to restore the historical tension of the old factory. Our overseas partners captured real-life photos at the construction site in Rotterdam, providing abundant reference material to capture the details of the materials.
Additionally, the model involves intricate lighting design, demanding a natural reproduction of overall lighting effects while ensuring visibility in the brightly lit exhibition hall.
The display adopts mirrored reflections to express the water surface effect of the project site, striking a balance between scene reproduction and sleek simplicity, directing visual attention to the architecture itself.
The packaging, transportation, and installation after completing the model are crucial. Ensuring the high-quality and robustness of the model, along with a professional packaging process, is a prerequisite for a flawless execution. Upon arrival, installing and fine-tuning the model according to exhibition requirements is a vital aspect of our work, representing the final step to ensure the smooth display of the model.
