The need and ambition for a new Collections Building for the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum arose from the need to protect important art pieces from an unsafe environment. The current depot is located under the museum, below groundwater level. Extremely valuable pieces are kept under far from appropriate circumstances. It is a moist environment and with the rising ground water level, the risk of underground storage is unacceptable.

The depot is lifted 35 meters above ground level, so it is positioned far from the danger of ground water. By lifting the volume, the existing public square is preserved and remains still to act as a city podium for all kinds of public events. The building functions as a roof which covers the city plaza. By adding lighting and projectors to the roof the plaza will turn into a true event space; a city dance floor. In the legs of the table shaped building, elevators and offices are located. The 10-meter high ‘table top’ contains two levels of storage space, workshops, and other related facilities. The presentation rooms and guided tours are open to everyone, as the restaurant and sculpture garden do on top of the building.