Museum Batavialand is renewing. Step by step we are working on a future-proof museum where the stories of water, land and people are told in a contemporary way. On this page you can read how the renewal is taking shape, who is involved and what steps we are taking in the coming period.
What will change?
The renewal consists of new construction, refurbishment of existing buildings and the development of the National Ship Archaeological Depot. Everything will be designed with an eye for experience, accessibility and heritage preservation. This will create a coherent whole that connects with the visitor of tomorrow.
Where are we now?
The renewal goes through several design phases.
- Current phase: the sketch design reveals the broad outlines: the spatial layout, the main routes and the first ideas for the building and its furnishings.
- This is followed by the preliminary design. Despite the name, this is anything but non-committal: at this stage, important choices are already made about form, use of materials, layout and experience. This forms the solid basis for further elaboration.
The sketch design for the renovated Museum Batavialand is ready. In it, the ship Batavia will be given a prominent place on land in the middle of the museum grounds. An initial design has also been made for the new entrance building, exhibition spaces and workshops. Everything will form one whole, with the ground as the connecting story. This sketch design is the first step in the design process that will be further developed into a preliminary design in the coming months.
The sketch designs:
Design teams on board
Two design teams have been selected for the renovated Museum Batavialand:
- The Black Dog (in collaboration with Arup) – responsible for the design of the new museum building.
- OPERA – responsible for interior design.
Together with Museum Batavialand, they are working on a design that:
- functional and durable;
- fits the identity of Flevoland and Lelystad;
- provides space for stories about water, land and people;
- invites visitors to explore, learn and experience together.
Curious about their vision?
Read the conversation with André van der Slik (De Zwarte Hond) and Jeroen Luttikhuis (OPERA), in which they talk about their inspiration, collaboration and initial ideas for the new Museum Batavialand.
Working groups in full swing
The renewal is a collaborative effort. Several internal working groups are working on:
- the substantive storylines;
- the audience experience;
- the architectural and spatial interpretation;
- organization and logistics, such as routing and receiving.
One example is the subproject team Verhaal van Flevoland, which recently paid an inspirational visit to Labyrinthia in the Drents Museum. There they saw how thematic spaces, design, collection and experience together tell one clear story for various target groups. We are taking these insights into account in the development of the new presentations in Museum Batavialand.
Investing in the future: relationship and fundraiser
The renewal of Museum Batavialand is made possible by contributions from the State, the Province of Flevoland and the Municipality of Lelystad. To fully realize our ambitions, we have strengthened with a relationship and fundraiser.
This role is crucial for:
- Building and maintaining relationships with partners and funds;
- raising additional funds for subprojects within the renewal.
What can you expect in the coming period?
In the coming period we will take the next step in the renewal process of Museum Batavialand.
We move from the first sketch designs – in which ideas, spatial layout and broad outlines become visible – to the preliminary designs. In this phase, plans are further developed into a coherent and concrete whole.
Although the term “provisional” might suggest otherwise, it is precisely in this phase that important choices are already being made about design, use of materials and experience, among other things. In parallel, various subproject teams are working on the content, the public experience and logistical issues – such as the future positioning of the Batavia on land.
Project timeline:
Step by step, this creates an increasingly clear picture of the renovated Museum Batavialand.
Last update of this page: February 2026
