Mecanoo Architects: kaap skil - maritime and beachcombers museum

'kaap skil' by mecanoo architects, texel, the netherlands
all images courtesy of mecanoo architects

accessible only by plane, boat or ferry within the dutch wadden islands chain, a new maritime and beachcombers museum 
by delft-based practice mecanoo architects, 'kaap skil' is opening its doors in texel, the netherlands. a series of four asymmetrical gable roofs
are linked together, merging the rhythm of the vernacular structures of the village of oudeschild with the waves of the ocean. 
the vertical wooden cladding is made from hardwood sheet-piling sourced from the north holland canal, supporting a 
long-standing tradition of recycling which began with the use of driftwood from shipwrecks for barn and house construction. 
set behind the boards, a continuous glass facade allows outward views through the linear voids to the outdoor terrain and sky 
while flooding the first floor with natural daylight.

the center will host two new exhibitions which reference the area's historical links to the fleet of the dutch east india company, 
along with a cafe and offices. in the basement, the showpiece on display is a detailed 18 meter long and 4 meter deep model of 
the reede van texel, showing dozens of ships anchored off the coast.


positioned along a stream


first floor gallery


natural daylight permeates the external cladding to illuminate the gallery


cafe


basement gallery


18 meter long model of the 'reede van texel'


conceptual diagram

project info:

programme: 1,200 m² museum building with exhibition galleries, café and offices  
design period: 2007-2009 
construction period: 2010-2011 
client: maritiem & jutters museum, oudeschild 
architect: mecanoo architecten, bv 
museum design: kossmann.dejong, amsterdam 
project management: abc management groep, assen 
builders: pieters bouwtechniek, utrecht 
installations consultant: peter prins, woerden 
contractors: bouwcombinatie de geus & duin bouwbedrijf, broek op langedijk 
installations: itbb, heerenveen 
sawmills for wooden cladding of façades: pieter dros, texel