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NL Architects create "cultural department store" in Groningen
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/344355_19994_911936.jpg)
NL Architects and ABT have created what they describe as a "new type of public space" in Groningen, Netherlands, filled with books, images, exhibition spaces, movie halls, assembly rooms and restaurants.
The design for Forum Groningen was first developed for a competition run by the local municipality in 2006, running out the winner.
It has now finally been brought to fruition, with a form that is at once monolithic, carefully crafted and contemporary.
A single volume covers 17,000sq m (183,000sq ft), with different angles cut away to create a sculptural shape and a variety of different appearances.
Inside, the building is based around a large central atrium that links different spaces and it features a series of stacked squares that can be seen as a continuation of the city's public spaces. It is topped with a roof terrace, a viewing platform and outdoor theatre.
"Forum Groningen features an exceptional central space, an innovative atrium that with its horizontal ‘tentacles’ forms the pumping heart of the venue," explained NL Architects. "The void works as a spatial interface that binds all functions, movie theatre, book collection, expo, auditorium, and as such hopes to catalyze the exchange of knowledge and ideas."
The facility is designed to variously become "a platform for interaction and debate", be "a living room for the city" and facilitate "finding not searching” of cultural creations.
NL insist that the Forum is not a library, a museum or a cinema – and its description goes beyond that of an art or cultural centre alone.
It has been designed to dissolve the borders between those institutions and to present content "thematically in a way that transcends the different media."
![The competition was run by the Municipality of Groningen / Deon Prins The competition was run by the Municipality of Groningen / Deon Prins](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_368392_262237.jpg)
![A single volume covers 17,000sq m (183,000sq ft) / Deon Prins A single volume covers 17,000sq m (183,000sq ft) / Deon Prins](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_752976_791237.jpg)
![Inside, the building is based around a large central atrium / Marcel van der Burg Inside, the building is based around a large central atrium / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_826604_891395.jpg)
![A series of stacked squares can be seen as a continuation of the city's public spaces / Marcel van der Burg A series of stacked squares can be seen as a continuation of the city's public spaces / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_312416_593459.jpg)
![The interior spaces are interlinked in such a way as to encourage the mixing of ideas / Marcel van der Burg The interior spaces are interlinked in such a way as to encourage the mixing of ideas / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_295991_582556.jpg)
![The building houses many different types of spaces and facilities / Marcel van der Burg The building houses many different types of spaces and facilities / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_327697_745515.jpg)
![There are spaces for reading and studying / Marcel van der Burg There are spaces for reading and studying / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_84160_338496.jpg)
![Other spaces in the building can be used for working and workshops / Marcel van der Burg Other spaces in the building can be used for working and workshops / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_409762_129614.jpg)
![Large windows allow ample natural light into many of the spaces / Marcel van der Burg Large windows allow ample natural light into many of the spaces / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_631497_584701.jpg)
![The facility is designed to facilitate 'finding not searching” of different cultural offerings / Marcel van der Burg The facility is designed to facilitate 'finding not searching” of different cultural offerings / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_88602_277885.jpg)
![Different spaces offer different levels of formality and fun / Marcel van der Burg Different spaces offer different levels of formality and fun / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_333560_853404.jpg)
![there are varied architectural and design elements throughout the building / Marcel van der Burg there are varied architectural and design elements throughout the building / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_417648_147929.jpg)
![Quieter nooks around the building can be used for reading or meetings / Marcel van der Burg Quieter nooks around the building can be used for reading or meetings / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_428016_86042.jpg)
![There are gallery spaces for exhibitions / Marcel van der Burg There are gallery spaces for exhibitions / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_953703_338322.jpg)
![Auditoriums provide locations for film screenings / Marcel van der Burg Auditoriums provide locations for film screenings / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_248480_100518.jpg)
![The building is topped with a roof terrace, a viewing platform and outdoor theatre / Marcel van der Burg The building is topped with a roof terrace, a viewing platform and outdoor theatre / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_503936_459413.jpg)
![The roof terrace provides panoramic views out of over the city / Marcel van der Burg The roof terrace provides panoramic views out of over the city / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_771885_441721.jpg)
![There is also 10,000sq m (108,000sq ft) for car parking / Marcel van der Burg There is also 10,000sq m (108,000sq ft) for car parking / Marcel van der Burg](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/imagesX/HIGH344355_673426_862243.jpg)
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