FENIX Museum of Migration

Fenix is Rotterdam’s international art museum dedicated to stories of migration, housed in a restored historic warehouse on the Katendrecht quay, once a departure point for millions of migrants. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the museum stands on ground defined by movement, memory, and transformation.

At the heart of the building rises the Tornado, a dramatic double-helix staircase that spirals upward through the museum before extending outward to a rooftop platform overlooking the River Maas. Both architectural and symbolic, the Tornado embodies motion and transition, reflecting the migrant journeys historically connected to the site.

For this ambitious project, CIG was responsible for the engineering and production of the Tornado. Six years in the making, the structure represents the largest and most complex project we have delivered to date. From the earliest technical studies to the final mirror-polished finish, our team translated its fluid geometry into a buildable reality, piece by piece.

The staircase comprises approximately 50,000 unique components. At its peak sits a 17-meter-long, 3D oval-shaped cap, entirely engineered and fabricated in Groningen and finished to a precise mirror polish. The realization of the Tornado required a dedicated team of engineers, formers, welders, and polishers working in close coordination throughout every phase of development and production.

The result is a technically demanding and visually fluid structure that anchors the museum’s identity while demonstrating the potential of advanced engineering and craftsmanship.

Fenix has been shortlisted for the 2025 World Architecture Festival Awards in the Culture category, recognizing its architectural innovation and cultural impact.

Awards & Recognition

Since its opening, FENIX has received international recognition for its architecture, engineering, and cultural significance. Among these achievements is the 2026 National Steel Award, recognising the Tornado's innovative steel construction and complex design.

2026

• National Steel Award (Nationale Staalprijs) – Winner, Commercial & Public Buildings
• Dutch Daylight Award – Winner, Buildings over 1,000 m²
• Rotterdam Architecture Prize – Honourable Mention, Professional Jury
• Rotterdam Architecture Prize – 2nd Place, Public Choice Award
• BNA Best Building of the Year – Nominee, Identity & Iconic Value
• European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture (EUmies Awards) – Nominee
• European Museum Academy, Art Museum Award – Finalist
• NRP Gulden Feniks – Shortlisted

2025

• Architectenweb Awards – Winner, Public Building of the Year
• World Architecture Festival – Highly Commended, Completed Buildings: Culture
• LIT Lighting Design Awards – Winner, Visitor Experience & Museum Exhibition (Lighting Design)
• Marketing Award Rotterdam 2025 – Winner