MAD reveals rippled glass extension for Rotterdam's Danshuis dance centre

MAD has unveiled new designs for the Danshuis dance centre in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which features a sweeping glass extension attached to an art deco warehouse. This extension, reminiscent of a dancer's flowing skirt, will house the foyer and a spiral staircase linking the building's four levels. The centre will offer dance studios, a gym, exhibition areas, a café, performance venues, a public hall, and outdoor terraces with views of the river. Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD, described the pleated glass façade as having a rippling effect, reflecting clouds, light, and the surrounding landscape, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. Announced in 2023, the project will renovate the 1923 Provimi warehouse in Rotterdam's docklands. Expected to open in 2030 along the River Maas, Danshuis aims to be Europe's largest hub for dance production and development, serving both professional and amateur dancers. It is located near MAD's Fenix Museum of Migration, another converted warehouse, with funding from the Droom en Daad foundation. Yansong emphasized that movement transcends architecture, enriching the district's identity and fostering a connection with Fenix. Recent works by MAD include a spiraling science museum in Haikou and bulbous galleries in Shenzhen.