Book Launch Bridging Time

On the 17th of November, two representatives of nai010 travelled to Antwerp for the book launch of Bridging Time. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp closed its doors in 2011 to start a spectacular renovation.This september, a brand-new museum space arose in the former patios. KAAN Architecten drew up the master plan for this impressive makeover. 

The publication Bridging Time documents the result of this extensive renovation, richly illustrated with original drawings, archive material and unique images of the new KMSKA. The book was launched in the museum and the event was completed by a tour by the architect herself: Dikkie Scipio, co-founder of KAAN Architecten. 

The renovation

Since 1890, the Royal Museum of FIne Arts in Antwerp has been home to a rich collection spanning over seven centuries of art history; from the Flemish Primitives to Expressionists. More recently, the Museum has been enriched by another treasure by the Dutch architectural firm KAAN Architecten. Their restoration work and new design combine a contemporary allure with the glorious but somewhat neglected beauty of the 19th-century landmark. Completely conceiled within the existing museum, the new extension underlines the strength of the original building and its role as heritage witin the rapidly changing city. These contrasting yet dialoguing spaces coexist as two different worlds in one building. The renovation and extension bring together the past, the present and the future in a layered ensemble of time, architecture, history and art.