The Freedom Museum, located in Hulusbeck, Netherlands, is designed in the shape of a giant parachute, symbolizing the end of war and the embrace of freedom. The museum is covered by the innovative Shaded Dome technology, developed by Shaded Dome Technologies, a company led by ZJA Architecture Studio and Royal HaskoningDHV, in partnership with Polyned. This unique dome roof not only enhances the museum’s visibility and autonomy but also complements the flowing forms of the surrounding lush mountain landscape of Khrushbeck.
The striking Shaded Dome at Khrushchev is an elongated structure made of lightweight fabric, evoking the parachutes that filled the sky during the Market Garden operation. Positioned on a flat mountaintop that slopes gently toward the valley, the building reduces its volume in that direction to create a welcoming entrance. The offices and storage spaces are located underground, while the upper level houses a restaurant overlooking the valley—an area historically significant as the starting point for Allied divisions marching toward Germany.
From the road, the museum appears as part of the landscape, featuring a sloping dome nestled on the hillside’s rear. This design creates an open green space between the museum and the Canadian Military Cemetery, suitable for various outdoor events. The flowing form, soft materials, and lightweight fabric skin—reminiscent of parachutes symbolizing liberation—allow the Freedom Museum to harmoniously blend into the winding roads, mountains, and forests.
The Shaded Dome is a pressure-supported structure mounted on a concrete base featuring door and window openings. It consists of the pressure-supported dome itself, a steel cable mesh, and a large-span high-tech fabric roof. The interior and exterior fabrics are separated by partition components and insulated to maintain thermal comfort.
When inflated, the automatically aligned struts stand upright, creating a cavity between them that accelerates air circulation and naturally dissipates heat caused by solar radiation. Compared to traditional membrane structures, the Shaded Dome’s double-layer fabric with a 50 cm cavity offers a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment while reducing energy consumption.
Thanks to the dome being fully supported by air pressure, no indoor columns are required. This allows the entire 2,400-square-meter space to be freely divided. The Freedom Museum reaches a height of 12 meters at its highest point, with a maximum span of 60 meters. The internal spaces—including the reception area, café, and exhibition halls—can be easily and economically reconfigured to meet varying exhibition needs.
The Freedom Museum stands as a cultural landmark nestled within green landscapes. It not only satisfies the strict environmental standards required by museums but also presents an iconic image at a relatively low cost, making it a unique presence in the rolling wilderness.
Project Drawings
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Architectural Studio ZJA
Area: 2,400 m²
Year of Completion: 2020
Photographer: Catch Your Moment
Lead Architects: Rob Torsing, Kay Oosterman
Membrane Structure: Polyned
Manufacturer: Shaded Dome Technologies
Landscape Architect: Elyps
Chief Engineer: Royal HaskoningDHV
Main Contractor: Janssen Groesbeek
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up