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All the Netherlands Eindhoven Evoluon

Evoluon

A UFO-shaped event building originally intended to be a science museum showcasing the future.

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Added By
Justin Versendaal
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The Evoluon glowing at night.   Daniel Volmer
The circular balconies inside were part of a renovation in the 80s.   Paul Perreijn
Evoluon in the light of day.   Flickr User: Eduardo
The interior in 1968.   Wiki User: AquaVISie
The “distinctively designed” Evoluon in Eindhoven.   Wiki User: ReinVM
‘Evoluon’ oil on linen.   Wiki User: Peterthijs
  Extreme Road Trip / Atlas Obscura User
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About

When Dr. Frits Philips sketched out the rough idea for this UFO-shaped building on a napkin, he was dreaming of the perfect gift to give to the community. 

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of his family's electric company, Philips wanted to erect a massive and unique museum for the people of Eindhoven. In the shape of a flying saucer, it would be an homage to the future, and serve as a science education center with cutting edge interactive exhibitions. Conceived by James Gardner and designed by Louis Christiaan Kalff, the Evoluon was born.

Throughout the 60s and 70s, the giant, otherworldly museum was wildly popular, its new style of exhibition and 253 ft. concrete dome attracting people from all over the Netherlands. In 1970 alone, the museum attracted 500,000 visitors. Eventually, nearby cities began opening their own fancy science centers, and attendance at Evoluon started to consistently decline year after year. In 1989, the spaceship-shaped, museum closed its doors, but fortunately that was not the end of its story. 

You can't just let a good UFO building go to waste. In 1998, the Evoluon was reopened as a state of the art conference center, and hosts a wide array of conferences and events, including concerts, TED Talks, and sustainable exhibitions. 

Related Tags

Science Museums Science Architectural Oddities Architecture

Community Contributors

Added By

Beachcomber

Edited By

Rachel, hrnick, Extreme Road Trip

  • Rachel
  • hrnick
  • Extreme Road Trip

Published

September 15, 2016

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evoluon
  • http://www.evoluon.org/
  • http://inhabitat.com/fantastic-ufo-shaped-evoluon-in-eindhoven-was-designed-by-philips-and-now-helds-green-events/
Evoluon
1A Noord Brabantlaan
Eindhoven
Netherlands
51.443536, 5.446928
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Hovenring

Eindhoven, Netherlands

miles away

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Eindhoven

Eindhoven

Netherlands

Places 4

Nearby Places

Hovenring

Eindhoven, Netherlands

miles away

'Flying Pins'

Eindhoven, Netherlands

miles away

Silly Walks Tunnel

Eindhoven, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Eindhoven

Eindhoven

Netherlands

Places 4

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Down-to-Earth UFOs: 7 Homegrown Spaceships

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