Het kattenkabinetis, (the cat cabinet) a private museum. The founder established the museum in honour of the cat John Piermont Morgan, named after the American banker J.P. Morgan. It contains a unique collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and other work of famous artists. Each of the different artworks revolves around a cat. These artists are names like Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Corneille and Sal Meijer.
The assignment
The project included the entrance, front desk and museum store of ‘het kattenkabinet’. The museum attracted more and more visitors which resulted in new demands. The owner wanted a new colour scheme and overall interior design. Furthermore, the climatological environment in the spaces demanded improvement. Lastly, the storage of the grand collection of posters and other merchandise needed to improve. All whilst presenting the various merchandise as appealing and attractive as possible.
The design
For ‘het kattenkabinet’ the studio developed a modular furniture system. The system allows a stacking of different components which gives the opportunity to use them for different applications. One of the applications is the storage of the posters. The posters are stored in tubes within the cabinet. By using two different coloured tubes the letters C, A, T an S can be made, which, of course, spells CATS.
The tubes are pasted with the posters. On the tubes, numbers are printed which correlate with the numbers of the posters on the wall. This results in a system where the customers can select their prefered poster, take their poster from the cabinet and pay it at the counter.
The entrance of ‘het kattenkabinet’ has a new counter and facade with sliding doors. The facade is exactly at the place where the existing ceiling jumps to a new hight. This results in a natural flow and separation between the different spaces and tour portal. Furthermore, the counter is built from the loose elements which are the same in the CATS furniture. The only difference is the part where the posters are stored. In the counter version of the cabinet, this part is closed.
The existing window was reinstated. Because of this, the store is more prominently present when you walk up the stairs in the direction of the museum.
Details
The feet and top and the part which sort of resemble sushi tables, are glued mitre. These parts are made in 9 and 18 mm grey colour. The poster cabinet that spells CATS is constructed in 18mm concrete-plex. The ‘sushi’ tables have a round hole in the middle of it. The hole creates a place for the existing mills where postcards are displayed. This solution results in the hides the steel feet of the mills.
Practical information
Photography: Anne Reinke.
Interior builder: Maatschap Spaarndam Dennis de Rond.
Tour portal: Schipper
Window frame in association with Boon Edam
Furniture: Siersema interior, Amsterdam.
Carpet: Limited Editions.
Special thanks to Lonneke Oosterwaal and Anna Koolen.
Plattegrond van de nieuwe situatie. Fotografie Anne Reinke, interieurbouwer Maatschap Spaarndam Dennis de Rond, tochtportaal Schipper kozijnen ism Boon Edam, stoffering Siersema interieur, Amsterdam, loper Limited Editions. Met dank aan Lonneke Oosterwaal en Anna Koolen.