Underground Exhibition Galleries

The Drents Museum by Erick van Egeraat Lies Beneath the Surface

Erick van Egeraat is a Dutch architect who has created this incredible design for the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands. His design was voted as the winner of the design contest for the museum, and it's not hard to see why.

The new Drents Museum design extends the museum underground. The exhibition space is literally burrowed into the ground around a former coach-house, describes Dezeen. A glass ceiling featuring curved stripes extends over-top the space to create overarching, high windows. The tops of these windows actually create a wavelike appearance on the ground outside, where a garden has been planted and a pathway made that leads to the city (see gallery).

As the architects point out, the reason Erick van Egeraat's Drents Museum design is so innovative is that it effectively integrates the museum with the rest of the city's "fabric."

Underground Exhibition Spaces
Opportunity for creating underground exhibition spaces that integrate with the surrounding environment.
Glass Ceiling Structures
Potential for using glass ceiling structures to create unique architectural designs and enhance natural lighting in buildings.
Integration of Museum with Urban Landscape
Possibility for designing museums that seamlessly blend with the surrounding urban landscape.

Industries Being Reshaped

Architecture
Disruptive innovation opportunity for architects to explore new designs that incorporate underground exhibition spaces.
Construction
Opportunity for construction companies to specialize in building underground exhibition spaces with unique architectural features.
Urban Planning
Potential for urban planners to incorporate museums as integral elements of the urban fabric, enhancing the cultural experience of a city.
SCORE
3.1 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 53%
Activity 32%
Freshness 8%

Solutions for innovators working at the edge of change. We help transform emerging ideas into practical, durable solutions by combining strategic thinking, creative exploration, and hands-on execution.

Trends © 2026 Trend Hunter Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LinkedIn Instagram X