How 38,000m² of Indian Sandstone and Limestone defined one of Europe’s most iconic cultural buildings
Rising boldly above the Scheldt River, the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp is more than a landmark — it's a statement in stone. Designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects and opened in 2011, MAS is the largest museum in Antwerp, spanning over 5,700m² of exhibition space across 10 levels. It tells the story of the city, its port, and the world — through both its collections and its architecture.
At the heart of its presence is natural stone, supplied by our parent company: a masterful blend of Indian Red Sandstone and Black Limestone, applied across an astonishing 38,000 square metres of surface area. The result? A building that fuses civic scale with sculptural refinement, using natural materials to create a timeless civic monument.
The Power of Natural Stone in Urban Architecture
The MAS Museum exemplifies how natural stone can go far beyond cladding or accent—it becomes the building itself. For this project:
Over 6,200 stacked sandstone panels were precision-cut in four custom shades to create rhythmic variation
Subtle diagonal patterning and contrasting mineral tones give the façade both texture and movement
Black Limestone elements add shadow lines and grounding contrast
Every panel is anchored individually, showcasing technical excellence at scale
Natural stone wasn’t just chosen for aesthetics—it was selected for durability, thermal performance, and long-term resilience in a waterfront environment.
Design That Balances Tradition and Modernity
MAS is a rare example of architectural storytelling through stone. Its red sandstone façade echoes Antwerp’s historical brick warehouses, while the glass interlayers and floating boxes reflect a bold contemporary sensibility.
Key features:
Glass-clad galleries spiral upward between stone slabs, creating visual rhythm
Vertical transparency breaks up the mass and allows panoramic views over the city
Diamond-shaped metal accents on the stone surfaces reinterpret the local motif of cut gems
From a distance, the building reads as a monolithic tower. Up close, it reveals complexity in craft and composition.
A Global Project with Local Impact
Though located in Belgium, the MAS Museum represents the global nature of today’s architectural supply chains. The stone, quarried and finished in India, was selected for its:
Unique reddish tonal variation not found in European quarries
Proven performance in public and civic applications
Ability to be supplied in large volume with tight tolerances
Our parent company oversaw procurement, fabrication, and delivery of the material — ensuring consistency across tens of thousands of square metres.
Stone Age Australia: Specialists in Global Natural Stone Solutions
At Stone Age Australia, we bring the same global expertise to projects of all scales — from private residential builds to public-facing commercial landmarks. Whether you're working on a civic redevelopment in Melbourne, a façade refresh in Brisbane, or a boutique hotel in Sydney, we help specifiers source and apply stone surfaces that elevate both form and function.
📐 Contact us to learn more about large-scale procurement, global sourcing, and architectural surface consultation.
👉 Explore our architectural stone range today
📍 Based in Melbourne, supplying projects across Australia
