Antwerp approves plans for new Muhka building
The city of Antwerp has approved the preliminary design for the new spatial implementation plan (RUP) of the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA). The ambition is to create an iconic building that strengthens the cultural core of the Het Zuid district and forms a link between the Scheldt quays and the Gedempte Zuiderdokken.
New location for the M HKA
The new museum will be built on the site of the Hof van Beroep op het Zuid. As the current Spatial Implementation Plan for the Inner City does not provide space for the ambitions of a new museum building, the city is developing a specific SIP for this project.
Strengthening the cultural core on the Zuid (South)
The site forms an important link between the Scheldt quays and the Zuidpark. The new Muhka will further strengthen the cultural core in Het Zuid district, with nearby institutions such as the Fotomuseum, the Zuiderpershuis, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Fashion Museum.
For the new Muhka, the aim is an open, accessible building that will appeal to a wide audience and stand out from its surroundings in height and form.
Design and construction of the new museum
The building will consist of a plinth and a tower, with a maximum building height of 80 metres, in keeping with the city’s high-rise vision. The tower will be a landmark in the cityscape, while the plinth will be in harmony with the existing façade heights along the Quay Road. The total maximum building volume of 100,000 m³ corresponds to the maximum carrying capacity of the site.
