Groningen Forum

A building that demands attention

The Forum in Groningen is not the kind of building you ignore. The undulating facade by NL Architects and McknowDNA draws the eye from every corner of the Nieuwe Markt. Stacking volumes, cantilevered floors, and a rhythm that shifts depending on where you stand. That makes it immediately interesting for architectural photography: the spot you choose determines the image.

Outside: facade and surroundings

During the day the Forum's facade offers wonderful graphic possibilities. The windows reflect clouds and light, and in overcast conditions the structure of the building reads well without hard shadows. With a telephoto focal length, say 85mm or longer, you can isolate details and patterns. Wide, with a 24mm or 28mm, you capture the building in relation to the square and the people passing through. The Nieuwe Markt itself is small enough to include the surroundings, but not so small that you feel hemmed in.

During the blue hour, just before sunrise or just after sunset, the building glows from within. The balance between artificial light and the blue sky is exactly right. Twenty minutes after sunset is the sweet spot. Use a tripod, because with longer shutter speeds you can also capture the movement of passers-by if you want that.

The rooftop terrace

On top of the Forum is a freely accessible rooftop terrace. From here you look out over the city centre of Groningen: the Martinitoren, the rooftops, the square below. This is the ideal spot for urban overview shots. Wide works well, but a 50mm gives a more comfortable perspective when you want to bring people and city into the frame together. The terrace is open as long as the building is open, but check the current opening times in advance.

Practical

The Forum is right in the centre of the city. The easiest way to park is in one of the nearby car parks, such as the one beneath the Damsterdiep or the Harm Buitergarage. Walking from the station takes around ten minutes. The ground floor and the terrace are freely accessible. For commercial use of the spaces inside the building, contact the Forum directly.

Sources and further reading

• Forum Groningen (officiële website)
• NL Architects over het Forumgebouw
• Gemeente Groningen over het Forum