MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)

A tower that photographs itself

The MAS rises above the Antwerp harbour like a stacked tower of red Brazilian sandstone. Ten floors, each turned slightly relative to the one below. That alone makes the facade interesting from street level, but the real reason to come here is the roof. Free to access, and with a view that takes in the entire city skyline.

What you see and how to photograph it

Down on the Hanzestedenplaats, you work with lines and volumes. The alternating overhanging floors call for a wide angle, somewhere between 16mm and 24mm. Stand close to the facade and look up. The symmetry is almost perfect, but not quite, and that is exactly what makes it work. At street level the texture of the sandstone also plays its part: raking light in the early morning or late afternoon pulls out every detail sharply.

Up on the roof, you turn around and look out over the Schelde, the Eilandje, and the Antwerp skyline. A 35mm or 50mm works well here for contextual city shots. With a lighter telephoto, around 85mm, you can isolate architectural details in the distance.

Blue hour is not a cliché, here

The MAS has lighting that colours the tower orange-red after sunset. Set that against the blue sky of late twilight, and you have a colour combination you do not need to force at all. Bring a tripod for the roof, because exposure times climb quickly once the light drops. Check in advance whether tripod use is permitted on the roof, as this can vary by period.

Practical

The museum is on the Hanzestedenplaats 1, in the heart of the Eilandje. You can park nearby at parking Hanzestedenplaats or a little further at Mexicostraat, but public transport is easier. Tram 8 stops close by. The roof is free and accessible during the museum's opening hours. Expect a fair number of visitors up top at weekends, particularly in summer. On a weekday morning you will have it much quieter.

Sources and further reading

• MAS Antwerpen — officiële website
• Stad Antwerpen — het Eilandje
• Wikipedia — Museum aan de Stroom