Adaptive Travelers: Stairs to a Non-Existent Fourth Floor

We, Mimi Blogger Team, visited the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven.
Being the fashion-angels that we are; we went straight to the fashion-exhibition named ‘Adaptive Travelers‘ (more on that HERE) The exhibition, by Modebelofte 2016, was held at the top floor of the Dutch luxury department store “De Bijenkorf” (‘The Beehive’ in Dutch).

De Bijenkorf in Eindhoven

Fashion Exhibition ‘Adaptive Travelers’ by Modebelofte 2016

Fashion Exhibition ‘Adaptive Travelers’ by Modebelofte 2016

But first we had to adapt ourselves to the intricate entrance route. Instead of just taking the store elevator (or escalator for that matter) we had to walk 3 flights of stairs, which are normally only used by employees, to the actual exhibition. After we exited the exhibition, via a parcours set on the roof (fun!), we saw the mysterious staircase leading to nowhere!!!

De Bijenkorf rooftop with parcours set by ‘modebelofte2016’ Notice the C&A logo. C&A is the most cheap clothing company in the Netherlands…

De Bijenkorf facade from the inside

De Bijenkorf facade from the inside

Stairs leadinf to nowhere

image bijenkorf seen from above

We find such a staircase very intruiging, this is the first time we’ve seen such an unfinished build in the Netherlands (which is a mini country with many, very strict rules). In 1960s ‘De Bijenkorf’ store only needed 3 stories, but urban planning was made for 4 stories. From the outside the fabulous building looks much taller than it actually is: the fourth floor is merely a facade. But the plans remain in the form of the stairs leading to nowhere! (Thahanks!! D. Martijn Oostra for this story)

The façade of the Dutch Departmentstore ‘De Bijenkorf” is designed by Giò Ponti (in cooperation withTheo Boosten, Frans Gaast and Mario Negri 1965/1968). Continue reading →