MAD Architects has unveiled its much-awaited Fenix project in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The renowned Chinese firm transformed a historic warehouse into a migration museum topped by a spiral “Tornado” deck.
Supported by the Droom en Daad Foundation, Fenix is in a Rotterdam warehouse that was a major departure point for millions of migrants, including Albert Einstein and Willem de Kooning.
A Twisting Rooftop Landmark with Panoramic Views
The highlight of the project is the Tornado structure perched on the roof. Similar to New York’s Vessel, it has a 550-meter double-helix staircase with 336 steps and an elevator, clad in 297 polished steel panels, leading to a rooftop platform with panoramic views.
The museum calls the Tornado a striking double-helix staircase rising 24 meters to a rooftop platform. Clad in polished stainless-steel panels made in Groningen, it offers sweeping views of Rotterdam and the Maas River.
Iwan Baan
The museum covers 16,000 sq m in a restored warehouse, renovated with Bureau Polderman, and features migration-focused exhibits like The Family of Migrants, with nearly 200 photos by 136 photographers from 55 countries.
The Suitcase Labyrinth and Plein
Another highlight is The Suitcase Labyrinth, a maze of 2,000 donated suitcases telling migration stories. The museum also features Plein, an indoor event space with food kiosks, plus several cafes and restaurants.
They upgraded the warehouse for energy efficiency by installing a thermal energy system with a heat pump to reduce heating and cooling needs. They also topped it with a green roof.
Iwan Baan
Fenix adds to MAD’s impressive portfolio of remarkable structures, which includes One River North and Changchun Airport Terminal 3.
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