Officially opened to the public on May 15, 2025, Fenix is a new art museum about migration, overlooking the city of Rotterdam and its riverfront historic port district. MAD has transformed this century-old warehouse dating back to 1923 into a cultural landmark that bridges past and present, paying tribute to the journeys of millions of migrants. It was designed by architect Cornelis van Goor and built for the Holland-America Line as the world’s largest transshipment warehouse.
MAD’s transformation began with a respect for history, preserving the original warehouse’s rugged structure as restored by Bureau Polderman. The central roof was opened up to introduce natural light and a dramatic tornado-shaped spiral staircase system was inserted into the core. The staircases span 550 meters in length and reach a height of 30 meters; they intertwine to form a structural system, at times intersecting, at times pulling apart. The path leading to the rooftop observation platform thus symbolizes a journey.
The outer surface of the staircase is clad in silver stainless steel, shaped and polished using CNC technology. Its reflective finish captures passing pedestrians, the activity of the port, and the shifting sky, integrating these dynamic elements into the architecture. «Everything is in motion people, time, light, the sea», said Ma Yansong. «This building invites us to rethink moments of arrival and departure, and to reflect on the reasons we set out in the first place».
The ground floor on the east side of the building has been opened up as a Civic Square, a space freely accessible to the public year-round. It hosts a wide range of community activities, including culinary events, cultural gatherings, performances, and public programs, serving as an open stage for urban life.
Client: Droom en Daad Foundation
Architectural Design: MAD
Heritage Renovation: Bureau Polderman
Executive Architect: EGM
Construction Advisor: IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs
Steel Constructor: CSM Steel Structures
Cladding Constructor: Central Industry Group (CIG)
Lighting Consultant: Beersnielsen Lichtontwerpers
Installation Design: Bosman Bedrijven
Installation Advisor: DWA
Building Physics Advisor: LBP Sight
Facade Consultant / Light Study: RFR
Photographers: Iwan Baan, Arch-Exist, Hufton+Crow
