Museums
Bronbeek museum
A permanent museum exhibition about shared colonial history.
The experience
The permanent exhibition tells the story of the rise and fall of a colony. Visitors move through stories of conquest, governance, society, war, independence, and reflection on shared history.
Stats
Client: Museum Bronbeek
Design: Opera Amsterdam
Location: Arnhem, The Nederlands
Year: 2023
Size: 900 m2
Our job
Hypsos was the main contractor for graphics, AV, lighting, interior design, display cases, production, and construction, with a focus on the monumental building, the visitor experience, and the veterans on the estate.
History, carefully rebuilt at Bronbeek museum
Museum Bronbeek is situated on a historic estate in Arnhem, in a monumental building that is also connected to veterans. The new permanent exhibition tells the story of the rise and fall of a colony, from conquest and administration to wars, independence, and the way the Netherlands and Indonesia view this shared history today.
The challenge called for more than just a strong museum design. The work had to carefully fit within the building, the visitor flow, and the daily use of the estate.
Hypsos realized the exhibition as the main contractor, responsible for graphics, AV, lighting, interior design, display cases, production, and construction. In doing so, noise pollution was minimized, parts remained visible to veterans, and the social context of the location was also taken into account. The result is a layered museum exhibition where content, technology, and respect for heritage come together.
The exhibition has a dark, almost theatrical atmosphere in which light is purposefully used to place objects and stories center stage. The black ceilings, dark display cases, and subdued lighting ensure that uniforms, weapons, documents, and personal items appear to light up from the darkness. There is a great deal of visual calm, allowing the objects and personal stories to take center stage. The transparent display cases create open sightlines, while the architecture gradually guides the visitor through different chapters of the story.
Hypsos has proven itself during the process as a producer of high quality, and as a valuable partner in engineering.
G.A.M.M. van Kuijck, Commander of the Royal Home for Retired Military Personnel and Bronbeek Museum
Project credits
Client: Museum Bronbeek / Ministry of Defence.
Design: Opera Amsterdam.
What stage is your project in?
Looking for ideas? We'll help shape your ambitions into a clear direction and inspiring concept.
Ready to develop your project? We'll turn your ideas into a buildable concept and design.
Already have a design? We'll take it from technical development and production to on-site delivery.
Organizations
that trust Hypsos
Brands, agencies and cultural organisations involve Hypsos when creative ambition needs dependable realisation. We work as one responsible project partner or as part of an existing team, bringing clarity and continuity from design development to final delivery.
