Rotterdam’s striking “salad bowl”—known as “De Pot”—is more than just an architectural marvel with a lush roof garden. Located in Museum Park as part of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, it is the world’s first public art depot and offers access to over 154,000 artworks spanning more than 175 years. By opening these vast storage spaces to the public, director Sjarel Ex shattered the traditional museum practice of hiding collections in cellars.
An architectonic gem
Rotterdam’s art depot, opened on 5 November 2021 by King Willem-Alexander, is affectionately called the “salad bowl,” or “De Pot.” MVRDV designed the structure after winning a 2013 competition. Interestingly, an IKEA bowl on their meeting table inspired the unique shape.
Clad in 1,664 shimmering panels totaling 6,609 square meters, the seven-story building acts as a giant mirror. Its base spans 40 meters, yet it widens to 60 meters at the top. Furthermore, the architects kept the height under 40 meters, ensuring the depot does not overshadow the neighboring museum.
A new way to engage with art
The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen breaks traditional museum rules. It displays more than 154,000 artworks, of which around 89,000 are prints and drawings, on open shelves, letting you walk among them alone or with a guide. You gain rare, behind-the-scenes access to restoration studios. Occasionally, guides open climate-controlled storage rooms for a few minutes, sealing them quickly afterward to maintain the perfect environment for the art.
More than an art depot
This architectural gem is more than just a landmark; it serves as a spectacular vantage point, offering 360-degree views of Rotterdam from its 40-meter peak on the 6th floor. Furthermore, the rooftop garden transforms the building’s footprint into a vibrant public space. With seven-meter-tall birch trees and a restaurant, it proves that the depot offers much more than just simple art storage. But that’s not all:
The rooftop terrace of Rotterdam’s iconic ‘salad bowl’ serves as an exclusive venue for special events. This May, the space hosts a landmark performance: global DJ icon Armin van Buuren takes to the stage on May 7th, 8th, and 9th. Known as one of the the world’s best electronic music DJs, the artist explores a completely new musical direction with his first-ever live piano concert on the 6th floor of the Depot. Following the release of his debut piano album, van Buuren showcases his skills on the keys, offering a rare and intimate experience in this stunning, high-altitude setting.
