Shoe Quarter

The monumental Kropholler block in Waalwijk, the Netherlands, has seen the emergence of a dynamic meeting place where craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity come together: the new Shoe Quarter. This place, a new museum, making lab, and innovative knowledge centre all rolled into one, does justice to this Dutch town known for its leather and shoe industry. Tinker imagineers was in charge of the exhibition design.

Spread across three floors themed ‘making’, ‘meeting’, and ‘marvelling’, the museum takes a refreshing approach to teaching visitors all about shoes and the materials they are made from. Ranging from shoe design and production to shoe fashion over time. On the ground floor, visitors are taken through the various steps of the craft. Here, they are invited to do more than look and learn: they get to experience the work for themselves. The first floor tells The story of Langstraat. Visitors wander around the exhibition on the history of the region, and the rise, fall, and preservation of its industry. One flight up, they come upon the icons of the shoe world. How have shoes been shaped by their wearers, use, and fashion? This floor also houses the temporary exhibition Put On Your Red Shoes, likewise created by Tinker.

The building design, by CIVIC Architects, invites visitors to determine their own routing and pace. The spectacular new openings cut in the stripped-down facade of the 1980s office wing, measuring five metres across, offer a glimpse of the exhibitions within. Cleverly placed stairs and routing allow visitors to take a shortcut to the highlights or do the full tour. Familiar materials such as brick, steel, concrete, and wood enhance the atmosphere of the collection and the historic building.

In addition to the museum experience, visitors to the Shoe Quarter can have their choice of workshops in the Learning Lab, can visit the knowledge centre, do an activity in the auditorium, and get a shoe shine in the ‘Bodehuisje’ or a cup of coffee at the café.