The Groninger Museum stands at Museumeiland 1 in Groningen, on a canal opposite the railway station. The article describes the post-modernist building as three pavilions, a silver cylinder by Philippe Starck, a yellow tower by Alessandro Mendini and a pale blue deconstructivist space by Coop Himmelb(l)au. It was completed in 1994 and echoes Italy's Memphis Group.
Museum director Frans Haks asked Mendini to design it in 1990 and wanted something extravagant. Frank Stella was first approached for a pavilion, but his plan needed a structure made entirely of Teflon, which cost too much, so the city invited Coop Himmelb(l)au instead. Gasunie funded most of the project with 25 million guilders to mark its 25th anniversary.
Protesters halted construction for a year through the high court, and building resumed in 1992. Residents objected mainly to the design. The museum closed for renovation from April to December 2010.
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