Learning from the transformation of Dutch museums: lessons for the future

One of the premises of this research is that museums are among the most complex building types in the architectural landscape today. Museum buildings contain a wide variety of functions (conservation, research, exhibition, education, etc.), they symbolise a wide variety of meanings (history, culture, art, community, science etc.), and their functioning is evaluated by a wide variety of stakeholders (the intelligentsia, policy makers, politicians, local visitors, tourists, etc.). As no other, the museum building must represent the complexity and diversity of our society. The study of the recent and current transformations of museum buildings can show both students and professionals what significant current social changes will mean for the field of architecture. This contribution presents the conclusions of the research, visualized in the data sheets containing the analysis of the museums. An answer to the following question will be given: What are the lessons we can learn from this transformation history?