There is no doubt Rotterdam is one of Europe’s most design-friendly cities, especially when it comes to restoring historic buildings for modern uses. One example is the early 20^th-century Pakhuis Santos, the Santos “coffee” Warehouse in Rotterdam’s port area. This former coffee warehouse is currently being transformed into the new home of Nederlands Fotomuseum (Dutch Photo Museum) and will reopen to the public in mid-2025. The architectural firms involved in the design and transformation include Renner Hainke Wirth Zirn Architekten from Hamburg, together with WDJARCHITECTEN from Rotterdam.

© Studio Hans Wwilschut

In summer of 2023, Nederlands Fotomuseum acquired the Santos warehouse with the support of the philanthropic Droom en Daad Foundation. For Nederlands Fotomuseum, a longstanding wish to operate its own building in the port of Rotterdam was fulfilled. The Santos warehouse building is located within the vibrant Rijnhaven district, one of the biggest redevelopment projects in Rotterdam.

For the redesign of the warehouse, architects opted for a clear distinction between the historic structure and the modern extension. The conceptual approach of the existing warehouse was based on the maximum possible restoration of the building’s fabric. Where possible, the remaining building elements from the first construction phase in 1901 were restored. This approach applied to both the interior and exterior of the warehouse.

© Studio Hans Wwilschut

The historic structure was expanded by two levels with a striking roof landscape above the warehouse. The new roof appears to float above the building like a golden crown, and a new central atrium extends from the ground floor to the top floor, covered by a glass roof.

The main idea of the redesign was to find a way of transforming closed, dark interior spaces into an inviting ambience without destroying the actual character of the warehouse. A new central atrium will allow natural light to fill the entire building and, with the exception of the basement, connect all floors visually from the ground floor to the seventh floor.

© Studio Hans Wwilschut

When the original Nederlands Fotomuseum completes its move into the Santos Warehouse building in mid-2025, the warehouse will officially open to the public and include a restaurant with a bar and outdoor terrace, along with many photography exhibitions to attract both international visitors and local residents.