MAD’s Spiral Steel Staircase Tops Rotterdam’s Fenix Museum

A massive steel spiral staircase, known as Tornado, has been successfully installed atop the Fenix Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This striking feature is part of the museum designed by the Chinese architectural firm MAD. The installation marks the completion of the building’s exterior, known as the topping out.

A Sculptural Addition

The Tornado staircase, rising 30 meters through a transformed warehouse, is covered in 297 highly polished stainless-steel panels. The installation involved placing a canopy, crafted in Groningen, atop the staircase. This component was transported by boat and lifted into position by crane.

A Museum of Migration Stories

The Fenix Museum, soon to be the world’s first museum dedicated to migration stories, will feature a 550-meter-long, double-helix wooden staircase. This design not only provides a scenic viewpoint overlooking the harbour and city but also symbolizes the concept of “unexpected journeys” experienced by migrants, bridging the past with the future.

Bridging Past and Future

MAD’s founder, Ma Yansong, emphasized the importance of creating a dialogue between the museum’s new structure and its historical context. “The Tornado represents the future but is deeply rooted in the past,” Yansong explained. “It serves as a metaphor for the migratory journeys that have shaped the history of this building.”

Upcoming Opening

The Fenix Museum is slated to open its doors in 2025, continuing MAD’s tradition of innovative museum designs. The Tornado is expected to be a central piece in the museum’s narrative, embodying the intersection of history and modernity.

Photography: Henry Verhorst

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