The Netherlands’ Medieval Centraal Museum Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation

<a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://www.beel-achtergael.be/" target="_blank">Beel &amp; Achtergael Architects</a> teamed up with Utrecht-based <a title="Medieval Utrecht's Centraal Museum Gets a New Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://www.versseput.nl/00273/versseput-architecten.html" target="_blank">Peter Versseput</a> to give the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands a freshly glazed renovation. <a title="Medieval Utrecht's Centraal Museum Gets a New Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://centraalmuseum.nl/" target="_blank">The Centraal Museum</a> -- which dates back to 1838 -- has shaken off its dusty image with a new transparent entrance, a tickets office, a shop, a restaurant and exhibition rooms for sheltering new art purchases. Made entirely from double-glazed <a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://inhabitat.com/the-hagues-city-hall-by-uytenhaak-architectenbureau-rises-from-the-dutch-urbanscape/" target="_blank">glass panels</a>, the new spaces beautifully contrast with the former medieval monastery, converting the art and design-filled building into a light and open museum that definitely inspires visitors to explore.

The Centraal Museum features fashion, design and contemporary art alongside works by the old masters.

A luscious central courtyard provides plenty of natural light and fresh air to the building's interior, and wonderful green steps take visitors towards  <a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://www.richardhutten.com/" target="_blank">Richard Hutten</a>'s multifunctional outdoor furniture <a href="http://www.frozenfountain.nl/html/richardhutten.html">Zzzzidt-objects</a>.

The quirky directors office designed by <a title="Medieval Utrecht's Centraal Museum Gets a New Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://www.ateliervanlieshout.com/" target="_blank">Atelier Van Lieshout</a> is bolted to an outside wall, and it offers space for working, sleeping and relaxing while planning the museum's next steps.

The restaurant -- also decorated by renowned Dutch designer Richard Hutten -- is located in the old convent area and features two long tables for sharing <a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://inhabitat.com/eindhovens-futuristic-blob-building-hides-1700-bikes-in-its-belly/" target="_blank">Dutch</a> delicacies.

The library on the top floor has been decorated with <a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrit_Rietveld" target="_blank">Rietveld's</a> furniture, which visitors can rest upon while gleaning deeper insight into the museum's history, features and current exhibitions.

The museum's contemporary exhibits fit surprisingly well with the medieval building's shell, creating a unique <a title="Medieval Centraal Museum in Utrecht Gets a Beautiful Glazed Renovation" href="http://inhabitat.com/victorian-ruins-transformed-into-modern-dovecoat-music-studio/" target="_blank">contrast</a> between the old and the new.

Beel &amp; Achtergael's extension and renovation of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht is a contemporary design made with respect for the past.