Queen Máxima formally opened the renovated Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen on June 4, marking the completion of a major transformation led by UNS. The studio, which originally designed the building in 1995, was appointed to revisit its own work nearly thirty years later, not to replace it, but to refine it for a new era.

The renovation was guided by the founding principles of the original building. The sweeping central staircase, undulating ceiling, and the principle of 88 routes through the exhibition spaces were each retained and brought more clearly into focus. The staircase has been given a bolder presence through colourful risers and refreshed balustrades, improving visibility and accessibility in a single move. At the entrance, a new revolving door replaced the original airlock, turning a previously narrow arrival into a generous, light-filled threshold.

The layout has been reorganised for clarity and continuity. The basement is now dedicated to the permanent collection, the upper floor to temporary exhibitions, allowing visitors to move through the museum in a continuous loop. On the ground floor, the cafe has been relocated to the front of the building, opening onto a new exterior terrace. Educational spaces and a new auditorium occupy the rear and can be combined, creating a flexible programme at the back of the building.

Sustainability was addressed through precision rather than addition. The 30-year-old facade was carefully dismantled, re-insulated, and reinstated with the original glass panels cleaned and reused. In the main public spaces, the characteristic rippling ceiling has been replaced with PET felt lamellas, improving acoustic comfort while reducing overall material use.

The Valkhof Museum opens to the public on June 6.

More information about the project, here.