Creative studio
Creative studio
Peter Beckers Creative studio
ENTRANCE FACADE
Heerlen, The Netherlands
Concept + design entrance & windows
including the choreography off the robots
Role
Heerlen, The Netherlands
Overall Design, Exhibit design, Spacial layout, Co-curating
Role
In collaboration with Tinker Imagineers, the NMM explores the rise, peak, and decline of the coal mining industry in South Limburg, revealing its social and economic impact on the region. The exhibition gives voice to a history once erased, illustrating its influence on society and identity till today.
Spread across four floors, the story is told of the remarkable partnership between the state, mines, and church that created a thriving coal industry and a new society designed behind the drawing board. Visitors uncover the forgotten stories of hard work, successes, solidarity, and the darker side of this exhaustive industry.
Housed in the former "Kneepkens" department store, built for and by miners, the museum brings new life to the monumental ‘Little Glass Palace,' designed by architect Frits Peutz. Offering narratives displayed in a “retail environment”.
Grey
The rapid rise of the mines and the engineered organisation of society also came with a frightening downside, such as fatal accidents, occupational diseases, exclusion and control. Followed by the disastrous social consequences of the mine closures plunging the region into a deep crisis.
Gold
The mines became large and influential, as did the church, creating a well organsied and highly controlled society. Together they arranged and influenced almost everything for the miner and his family: work, housing, education, social associations, healthcare… The hard work paid relatively well and the money flowed abundantly into cafés & department stores.
Black
Within a few decades the Mining Region emerged: an area where everything and everyone revolved around coal, the black gold. Here visitors discover the origins and extraction of coal, its many applications and they’re introduced to a miner family taking them on a journey throughout the museum.
The Dutch Mining Museum tells the forgotten stories of hard work, successes, solidarity and the dark sides of this exhausting industry. A hidden history hidden deep underground that is once again seeing the light of day. Blowing new life into Limburg’s & Heerlen’s heritage, identity and future horizons.
Discipline
Exhibition design, Experience design, Museum design
Client
Tinker Imagineers
For
Dutch Mine Museum
Photos
Mike Bink
Awards
Finalist SBID international design awards 2022, Finalist WIN awards 2022