Second Life of the Batavia

Commissioned by the Province of Flevoland, Studio L A conducted research into the “second life” of the Batavia. The ship, built in 1985 and part of Museum Batavialand, will be taken out of the water and given a new location within a national maritime heritage park, into which Museum Batavialand will continue to develop in the coming years. From the perspective of communities connected to the Batavia, Studio L A explored possible future scenarios.

Studio L A carried out a design-driven research project into the future of the ship. The Batavia will be brought onto land and given a new life there. The research explored how and where this could be realized.

The construction of the ship in 1985, under the leadership of Willem Vos, had a clear social purpose: building the ship together with people who have a distance to the labor market. During the research, Studio L A held conversations with shipbuilders, volunteers, Batavialand staff, and local residents. Their experiences, knowledge, and ideas were incorporated into the design process.

An important starting point in the research is strengthening the connection between the Batavia, the shipyard, and the museum. This relationship forms a central guiding principle in the design.

Studio L A developed four different perspectives:

The Canopy – Craft and Education

The Batavia forms the centerpiece of a large canopy made of steel and glass, under which the ship largely stands, surrounded by workshops dedicated to craft and education. Here, young people learn craftsmanship from master craftsmen, volunteers, and skilled workers, while the site also offers space for social workshops and educational programs for schools and international students. Visitors discover the site while wandering through it, where everything revolves around the Batavia as a catalyst for craftsmanship, learning, and encounter.

Light Hall – From History to the Future

The Light Hall offers a unique view of the Batavia, which is set into the floor, while behind it a shipyard with various workshops for woodworking, sail weaving, blacksmithing, and model building is arranged. Here the rich history of the Batavia is kept alive, while new projects contribute to the future. In front of the ship stands a five-story vertical museum, where visitors embark on a journey through the maritime history of the Netherlands and gain knowledge from the past. School groups and other guests can actively contribute ideas and participate in future plans together with shipbuilders, staff, and volunteers.

Ship Dock – A Total Visitor Experience

Visitors begin their exploration in the museum and dive into the hidden stories of Flevoland and the maritime history of the Netherlands. In the ship dock they experience the craftspeople of the shipyard up close, from blacksmithing and woodworking to sail weaving, while the Batavia lies protected beneath an impressive canopy. A winding sequence of stairs and an elevator leads up to the deck, where visitors can experience life on board and, at the top, enjoy a panoramic view over the Markermeer.

Sunken Shipyard – Embedded in Its Context

On the site of the former underground VOC parking garage, the Batavia is prominently positioned, exactly at the historic sea level, visible from the museum and Batavia Stad. The shipyard is located below ground level, with an opening for shipbuilders to maintain the ship, while the deck can be closed off in winter against bad weather. Visitors reach the Batavia via a bridge and can descend to the shipyard by stairs or an elevator.