Biesbosch Museum Refurbished Into A Modern Hobbit House

Back in 1421, the Biesbosch Museum arose like a phoenix after the St. Elisabeth Flood swept through the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. And now, the old museum is currently going through yet another remarkable transformation – courtesy of Studio Marco Vermeulen. The aim of the 8-month old project is to morph the antediluvian museum into a more visually enticing specimen that combines both safety and ecological credentials. And the results are quite spectacular, with lush grass turfs snugly stacked atop the ceiling-high glass facades – which nigh harks back to Tolkien’s Shire Hobbit Houses, albeit with a modernistic flair.

Beyond just the visual scope, these numerous additions pertain to spatial extensions as well, like a whole new organic restaurant, a spacious outdoor seating area and even a newly-erected wing. The verdant rooftop walkway allows visitors to take leisurely strolls, while admiring the surrounding picturesque landscape. Set for completion by the summer of 2016, the project aims to resolve the area’s water-related safety concerns. To that end, the architects are planning to convert the site into an artificial island, by removing part of the existing land from around the museum.

Furthermore, the museum, which has recently been opened to the public, boasts a series of eco-friendly and energy-saving credentials, including a biomass stove that keeps the interiors warm in the winter months as well as a stunning indoor water feature that lowers the building’s temperature during summer.