The Evoluon in Eindhoven, seen from the northen side.
The best spot in the Netherlands to step into a cool looking spaceship is the city of Eindhoven. Already back in the 1960s, architects Leo de Bever and Louis Christiaan Kalff designed the UFO-shaped Evoluon. Their mission was to create a ground-breaking science museum for Philips. The electronics and technology giant was founded in this Dutch city in 1891 and had its headquarters there until 1997. Marking 75 years of Philips it opened its doors on 24 September 1966 and hit one million visitors in a little more than its first two years.
Technology, architecture and life sciences
The Evoluon is a sizeable disc, of 77 metres (253 feet) in diameter, and is as much of a landmark today as it was more than half a century ago. During the time the ship has been parked in Eindhoven, it turned into a conference centre (1998 - 2022) when museum visitor numbers dropped. Since 2002 it is marketed as the Next Nature Museum, showcasing inspiring technological, architectural and life sciences exhibitions worth seeing.
The story of the Evoluon
Despite growing up and living in the Netherlands for decades, I had never visited the Evoluon until the summer of 2024. All photos are from that single visit. And to be frank, the building and the exhibitions were as magical as I imagined them to be. Interested in the story behind the Evoluon? Read "The Evoluon. A good idea has many fathers" at Philips.nl
The interior of the UFO-shaped Evoluon in Eindhoven, August 2024.
The glass elevator.
Several levels of exhibitions in the Next Nature Museum of the Evoluon.
The entrance/exit of the Evoluon with a mysterious clock above it.
Artist interpretation of Evoluon variations, on wall posters in the museum.
Cover copy of the Imagination Science Fiction magazine from 1958.
Retro Future poster.
Cover copy of the Galaxy Magazine of February 1960.
Brain Salt in the exhibition on consumerism.
Consumerism.
Bottled hangover cure in the exhibition on consumerism.
The Wikipedia library at the Next Nature Museum in the Evoluon.
Close-up of the Wikipedia library.
The Evoluon seen from the south with the pond in front.
Take the bicycle or fly away?
