Fenix Warehouse II
Transformation Fenix Warehouse II
Meet the builders
The restoration
The home of FENIX is Fenix Warehouse II, which was built on Katendrecht in 1923. On the quays around this harbour warehouse, more than three million emigrants stepped aboard a ship that took them to a new life on the other side of the world. The striking harbour building designed by architect Cornelis Nicolaas van Goor is being fully restored. The structure of reinforced concrete, characteristic windows and sturdy columns is being renovated with care.
The Tornado
An artwork with a spectacular view is being added to the warehouse: the Tornado. When walking up the double-helix staircase of the Tornado, the visitors will be able to choose different paths to journey through FENIX. Its structure comes out of the roof of the building so that people can overlook the skyline of Rotterdam. The Tornado was designed by the Chinese architectural firm MAD Architects, and it is a symbol of departure and arrival around the whole world.
MAD Architects
Founded in 2004 by Beijing-born Ma Yansong, MAD Architects quickly became known as one of the world’s most innovative architectural firms. Organic and technologically advanced shapes characterise the designs. In their buildings, humans, city and surroundings come together in a flowing way. FENIX is the first European museum to be built by a Chinese architectural firm. By choosing MAD Architects, we are honouring the forgotten history of Europe’s first Chinatown.
"FENIX will be a place to wonder and to explore about the past, the present and the future. When we look at the path we’ve been through in the past, we know the future won’t be linear."- Ma Yansong, MAD Architects