National Natural History Museum
Naturalis Biodiversity Centre

After the remarkable transformation of the original Naturalis exhibition space into a depot and offices by Neutelings Riedijk Architects in 2019, a “remainder” space became available. This tall office atrium boasts exceptional proportions, offering ample daylight and a functional connection within Naturalis’s working environment.

However, the acoustics and overall atmosphere of the space were not entirely suited to its intended purpose. As a result, Gerrit Vos was tasked with developing a proposal to enhance the acoustics and ambience of the atrium.

In the summer of 2024, Gerrit Vos presented an initial design proposal featuring an acoustic wall installation inspired by the sculptural façades created by Neutelings Riedijk Architects. Additionally, he proposed a soft enhancement to the black steel display cases positioned centrally in the atrium.

The BAUX acoustic wall is crafted from rediscovered, environmentally friendly wood wool boards, showcasing a renewed structure and form. This minimalist design effectively softens the hard, twenty-meter-high wall both visually and acoustically through thoughtful composition and material selection. The acoustic installation enriches the overall experience of the atrium by harmonising with the natural light and offering diverse perspectives from the offices on the opposite side.

Important to me is that both the sustainable acoustic wall installation and the climate barcode installation in the display cases have a timeless and self-evident character, so they can continue to soften and enrich the space for a very long time to come.

– Gerrit Vos, architect at workshop of WONDERS

Gerrit Vos, workshop of WONDERS