This summer Her Majesty the Queen opened the Graphic Design Museum: the first museum in the world exclusively dedicated to graphic design. The transformation of the De Beyerd centre for the visual arts into the Graphic Design Museum is the most radical conversion that Hans van Heeswijk, as in-house architect of this museum, has designed since 1985. The design creates a balanced cohesion between the original monumental gatehouse of the 17th century Gasthuis [hospital], the art lending library realised by Hans van Heeswijk Architects in 1991, and the new exhibition halls. Each section has its own identity and together they form one spatial unit. “Contemporary” alongside “centuriesold” evidently enhance each other. The spiral staircase – which turns more than 360 degrees and connects the entrance foyer and the museum café with the auditorium situated in the basement – has recently won the title of Stair of the Year, award sponsored by EeStairs. This spiral staircase is one large, light and airy interior element. Thanks to the light construction and the glass steps the spatial quality of the museum and the basement is retained. Hans van Heeswijk Architects designed the staircase as a prominent, but light and airy item of furniture. EeStairs awards the title of Stair of the Year every year to the most exceptional staircase produced by this specialist company.

From above:
Graphic Design Museum in Breda, by Hans van Heeswijk Architects: the 17th century Gasthuis and Art Library
One of the new exhibition halls
The spiral staircase
Site view
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