The Soesterberg Airbase, previously closed to public access, was opened in 2015 as the new, National Military Museum. The museum building itself, and the surrounding natural landscape, seamlessly merge into one another to create an accessible, informative and reflective space where the public can learn more about the history of the Dutch armed forces.

The National Military Museum (NMM) was created through the merging of the former Army Museum and the Military Aviation Museum. The plan has been created and realised by the Heijmans Consortium, contracted through a so-called DBFMO contract (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate). This means that in addition to the design and realisation of the project, Heijmans is also responsible for the maintenance of the grounds and museum for the next 25 years. NATURE DEVELOPMENTIn addition to the construction of an attractive public museum, was the important task of contextualising the building within the surrounding landscape. The EHS (ecological corridors of the Netherlands) balance approach mandated the inclusion of certain acreages of woodland, heathland and grassland in the design. This nature will be monitored closely over the next 25 years so that what has been promised in the design, will be realised.

SOESTERBERG