Historic building, modern core


The KMSKA’s historic 19th-century shell has been given a sleek modern core. The result? Two worlds in one building. Dream along with the design. Meet the builders. And take a peek through the lens of our site photographer.

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Het nieuwe gebouw

Don’t miss a moment of the renovation

Oud en nieuw gebouw
Renovation
Renovation
KMSKA Backstage: The Building

We’re building not just one museum for you but two. Two in the space of one! Come and take a peek backstage!

De gerestaureerde gevel van het KMSKA aan de kant van de Schilderstraat
Renovation
Renovation
A magnificent facade

The scaffolding has been removed from the museum’s facade. You can now see the original colour of the stone once more.

Ontwerp van de museumtuin van het KMSKA
Renovation
Renovation
Team van Meer! designs museum garden

Alongside the renovation of the building, we’re also remodelling the garden around the museum.

The site photographer

Photographer Karin Borghouts is recording every stage of the renovations. Through to the reopening. Take a peek behind the hoardings and find out how the works are progressing.

Zaalzicht historische gebouw met speciale deur voor schilderijen.
  • De marmere vide in de bovenzaal van het KMSKA
  • één van de nieuwe museumzalen van het KMSKA
  • historische zaal
De marmere vide in de bovenzaal van het KMSKA
New museum rooms

Marble was unveiled in the new upper room.

één van de nieuwe museumzalen van het KMSKA
New museum rooms

A mezzanine in the new museum volume. The daylight is directed to the underlying halls with a void.

historische zaal
Historical museum rooms

The painting work has started in the various historical museum rooms. These rooms will get their original color again.

De Rubenszaal wordt in het bordeauxrood geschilderd
Historical museum rooms

The painting work has started in the various historical museum rooms. These rooms will get their original color again.

Rubens zaal
Historical museum rooms

The painting work has started in the various historical museum rooms. These rooms will get their original color again.

Een schrijnwerker aan het werk in één van de historische zalen van het kmska
Historical museum rooms

The parquet is restored and cleaned in the 19th-century halls. The wall finish is also updated and painted.

Historische museumzaal
Historical museum rooms

The parquet is restored and cleaned in the 19th-century halls. The wall finish is also updated and painted.

Ensor zaal
New museum rooms

The new museum rooms will be further finished. This is one of the new downstairs rooms.

Ensor zaal
New museum rooms

This beautiful loft, finished with marble, provides daylight in the new downstairs rooms.

Een mix van grote en kleine zalen in het nieuwe museumvolume
New museum rooms

In the new museum volume there will be a mix of large and small halls.

De gerestaureerde zijgevel van het museumgebouw
Museum building

The restoration of the museum facade on the Schildersstraat side has been completed. Due to the thorough cleaning you can now see the original color of the stone again.

De dakkoepels van het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
Museum building

View of the 198 skylights on the roof of the museum.

De paarden op het museumdak in de stellingen
Museum building

Thomas Vinçotte's Triumph of the Fine Arts shows off again in its full glory on the museum roof. The horses underwent a thorough restoration.

Een restaurator werkt aan de Triomf van de Schone Kunsten op het dak van het KMSKA
Museum building

Thomas Vinçotte's Triumph of the Fine Arts shows off again in its full glory on the museum roof. The horses underwent a thorough restoration.

één van de paarden op het dak van het museumgebouw
Museum building

Thomas Vinçotte's Triumph of the Fine Arts shows off again in its full glory on the museum roof. The horses underwent a thorough restoration.

A reconstruction

How do you go about inserting a hypermodern steel structure into classical patios? View the time-lapse sequence.

The new museum takes shape

The new museum is evolving. Browse the plans drawn up by KAAN Architects. Explore the refurbished theme galleries and modern volumes. Visit the museum garden and library.

Een tussenverdieping in het nieuwe museumvolume
  • Ontwerp Rubenszaal van het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
  • Ontwerp van één van de benedenzalen in het nieuwe museumgedeelte
  • Ontwerp van de nieuwe museumzalen van het KMSKA
Ontwerp Rubenszaal van het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
Historical museum rooms

The Rubens room will get the original burgundy color.

Ontwerp van één van de benedenzalen in het nieuwe museumgedeelte
New museum rooms

One of the lower rooms in the new museum volume with an elevator for visitors at the back.

Ontwerp van de nieuwe museumzalen van het KMSKA
New museum rooms

In the new museum volume there will be a mix of large and small rooms.

Ontwerp van de lange trap in het nieuwe museumgedeelte
Stairway to heaven

A long staircase connects the different floors of the new museum section.

Ontwerp van de gouden gang onder de lange museumtrap met één kunswerk
Stairway to heaven

Just below the long museum staircase there will be a golden corridor in which visitors can see one artwork.

Ontwerp van KAAN Architecten van de U-vormige bovenzaal
New museum rooms

A view of the U-shaped upper room.

Ontwerp van de U-vormige bovenzaal in het nieuwe museumvolume
New museum rooms

A view of the U-shaped upper room. The ceiling consists of skylights that let in the daylight.

Een tussenverdieping in het nieuwe museumvolume
New museum rooms

A mezzanine in the new museum volume. The daylight is directed to the underlying halls with a void.

Ontwerp van één van de vides van het KMSKA
New museum rooms

The voids that lead down the daylight ensure a beautiful view for visitors.

Dwarsdoorsnede van het nieuwe museumvolume in het Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
New museum volume

A cross section of the new museum volume. Thanks to this new section, the exhibition space is increasing.

Ontwerp van de nieuwe bibliotheek van het KMSKA
Library

Cross section of the library and museum shop.

Ontwerp van de museumtuin van het KMSKA
Museum garden

Team van Meer! recreates the garden around the museum building.

Ontwerp van de Museumtuin
Museum garden

The reconstructed garden will be the first exhibition hall of the museum.

Ontwerp van één van de historische zalen van het KMSKA
Historical museum rooms

The old tour in the historic building is being restored.

The KMSKA builders

Rebuilding a museum is no small thing. It takes artistically minded people. From the client, architects and builders, to the scenographer and the designer of the museum garden. Get to know the KMSKA builders.

  • Architect
    KAAN Architecten
    Dikkie Scipio van Kaan Architecten
    Architect
    KAAN Architecten

    The monumental architecture of the 19th-century museum surprises at its core with a hidden new architecture: both modest and powerful. This symbiosis creates an exciting and functional exhibition environment.

    Dikkie Scipio, KAAN Architecten
  • Builder
    Fund for Cultural Infrastructure
    Ward Vanbekbergen van FoCi
    Builder
    Fund for Cultural Infrastructure

    I stare at a statue of Per Kirkeby and think: there is no creativity in bricks, but bricks are useful for creativity.

    Ward Vanbekbergen, Fund for Cultural Infrastructure
  • Coordinator
    Facility Service Agency
    Facilitair bedrijf
    Coordinator
    Facility Service Agency

    It is fascinating to already experience the two contrasting worlds (with the old and new building) on site. We cannot wait for the artworks to find their place in this!

    Nathalie Vandebrouck, Facility Service Agency
  • Contractor
    Artes Roegiers
    Thomas Musters en Quinten Cleymans van Artes Group
    Contractor
    Artes Roegiers

    We are pleased to contribute constructively to this architectural masterpiece. A complex project that radiates creativity and compatibility. And in which the time factor is decisive for an optimal result.

    Thomas Musters, Artes Roegiers
  • Architect
    KAAN Architecten
  • Builder
    Fund for Cultural Infrastructure
  • Coordinator
    Facility Service Agency
  • Contractor
    Artes Roegiers