Almost everyone recognises NEMO Science Museum as the striking, copper-green building rising high above Amsterdam’s Oosterdok. Renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano crowned his architectural vision for the NEMO building with an inviting rooftop city square.
The design for NEMO presented Piano with a major challenge: the structure had to be built above a tunnel. The curvature of the tunnel as a foundation inspired the curved shape of the building itself. In a mirror image of the traffic descending into the tunnel, the building appears to rise out of the water.
However impressive NEMO’s exterior is, inside the building is all about the exhibitions and about immersing yourself in the wonders of science. Wonders that deserve our undivided attention. The architect therefore opted for a design that filters out any distractions. The staircase provides clear orientation, the walls are neutral grey and windows have been kept to a minimum to focus concentration on the exhibitions themselves. Piano refers to this concept as “the noble factory”, a counterbalance to the building’s playful exterior.
“Amsterdam is a one-dimensional city,” Piano wrote in his notes when designing NEMO. Something he felt Amsterdam was missing square was overlooking the city is a highlight of so many of the world’s urban centres. He went on to give Amsterdam its very own piazza, in the shape of the spacious, striking rooftop square on the top floor of the NEMO building.
NEMO’s green and sustainable roof is home to more than 75 different species of flowers and plants, and deploys the latest science and technology to function as a natural ecosystem at altitude. A meeting place where wonder, knowledge and inspiration take centre stage and where young and old, leading experts and open minds, scientists, technicians, inventors and creators can all come together.