Rotterdam’s striking “salad bowl”—known as “De Pot”—is more than just an architectural marvel with a lush rooftop garden. Located in the Museumpark as part of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, it is the world’s first public art depot, offering access to more than 154,000 works of art spanning over 175 years. By opening these vast storage spaces to the public, director Sjarel Ex broke with the traditional museum practice of hiding collections in basements.
An architectural gem
Rotterdam’s art depot, which was opened by King Willem-Alexander on November 5, 2021, is affectionately known as the “salad bowl” or “De Pot.” MVRDV designed the building after winning a competition in 2013. Interestingly, an IKEA bowl on their conference table served as the inspiration for its unique shape.
Clad in 1,664 shimmering panels totaling 6,609 square meters, the seven-story building functions as a giant mirror. The base is 40 meters wide but widens to 60 meters at the top. Furthermore, the architects kept the height below 40 meters so that the depot does not overshadow the neighboring museum.
A new way of engaging with art
The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen breaks with traditional museum conventions. It displays more than 154,000 works of art—including approximately 89,000 prints and drawings—on open shelves, allowing you to wander among them alone or with a guide. You’ll also get rare behind-the-scenes access to the restoration studios. Occasionally, guides open the climate-controlled storage rooms for a few minutes, after which they quickly close them again to maintain the perfect environment for the art.
More than just an art depot
This architectural gem is more than just a landmark; it serves as a spectacular vantage point, offering a 360-degree view of Rotterdam from the 40-meter-high top of the 6th floor. Moreover, the rooftop garden transforms the building’s footprint into a vibrant public space. With seven-meter-tall birch trees and a restaurant, the depot proves that it offers much more than just a simple art storage facility. But that’s not all:
The rooftop terrace of Rotterdam’s iconic “salad bowl” serves as an exclusive venue for special events. In May, a landmark performance will take place here: world-renowned DJ Armin van Buuren will take the stage on May 7, 8, and 9. The artist, known as one of the world’s best DJs in the field of electronic music, is breaking new musical ground with his very first live piano concert on the sixth floor of the Depot. Following the release of his debut piano album, Van Buuren will showcase his skills on the keys and offer a rare and intimate experience in this beautiful, high-altitude setting.
