The UNESCO World Heritage Podium is a permanent exhibition where you can see, hear and read which UNESCO World Heritage sites can be found in The Netherlands and what makes them so exceptional. It is simultaneously the information centre for the Canal District of Amsterdam, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. The Podium is situated in the central hall of the monumental building De Bazel in Amsterdam.

On exhibit are special objects from each of the Dutch World Heritage sites, such as a 16th century pair of compasses from the Canal District Amsterdam and a small divan table designed by Gerrit Rietveld.

The Podium consists of three sections.

An exhibition area where each site is represented by an object that indicates the age and location of each site and doubles as a base for the objects on display.

A podium that bridges the height difference between the central hall and the big window facing the street level of the Vijzelstraat. On the podium books on Dutch heritage can be found and read .

A series of banners with prints of historical paintings and maps of the Amsterdam Canal District are hung from the double height space above the podium. One banner functions as a projection screen and when lowered the podium turns into a small auditorium.

In terms of design and materialization the podium and the exhibition objects merge into each other in order to create one continuous landscape. All objects, stairs and bookcases are constructed out of birch multiplex, clad with black linoleum.

Text and drawings are directly printed on the lino with white ink.

Additional elements like a desk for an employee working at the Podium or an object showing video interviews with representatives of the different sites are clad with mirroring acrylic sheets in order to minimalize their presence.

SUMMARY

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Client: Bureau Wereld Erfgoed, Stichting Werelderfgoed, Rijksdienst voor het cultureel Erfgoed, National UNESCO commission

Program: World heritage visitors centre

Architect: Office Jarrik Ouburg & laura alvarez architecture

Team: Laura Alvarez, Jarrik Ouburg

Photography: Ewout Huibers

Year: 2013

Status: Built