Architect Wim Quist (1930–2022) made a name for himself at a young age with his brutalist design for the Beerenplaat drinking water production plant and went on to build a versatile body of work: bridges, ship sheds, industrial buildings, offices, and cultural buildings, including many museums. Characteristic of Quist’s architecture is his search for the essence, free from fashionable trends. He achieves this through coherent forms using clear and simple materials. This is also evident in the Maritime Museum, where he manages to capture a complex program within a triangular main form.

The design for the Maritime Museum is developed on graph paper, which partly determines the grid of the columns. The museum consists of public spaces such as the entrance hall, the vademecum, the central information point, the library, and rooms for temporary exhibitions. The seemingly simple building features projecting and recessed elements, with arcades and windows offering surprising views of the city and harbor. The route through the museum alternates between open and closed spaces, guiding visitors along voids and ramps to the panoramic views. In this way, Quist continuously connects the indoor and outdoor museum, the city, and the harbor.