The main value of the Cruz y Ortiz project was the decision to keep the old building intact, locating many of the modern museum service areas deeper under the old structure. The historical building designed by the Dutch architect Pierre Cypers (1827 - 1921) originally opened in 1885, had the so-called Museumpoort – centrally located gates from the both sides of the building and the street passage between them leading from the Amsterdam Old City center to then new South area of town - Zuid Amsterdam. Cruz y Ortiz project planned to close this passage creating an interesting new space, future reception area of the museum, accessible from both sides of the building.
Cruz y Ortiz design had also foreseen two smaller buildings contrasting with the old Cuypers structure, the Asian Pavilion (completed in 2012) meant for the museum’s Oriental Art collection constructed in the museum’s garden and rather dreadful Study Centre project to be constructed in the future behind the museum, at the Hobbemastraat.
Reconstruction of Rijksmuseum in AmsterdamThe new 9000 m2 of surface Atelier Building of the Rijksmuseum also designed by Cruz y Ortiz, was completed in 2007. This new building is not connected with the original Cuypers Rijksmuseum building. It has been built at the Hobbemakade - a side canal street behind the museum. It accommodates museum conservation services, liberating more exhibition space in the main building.