Exhibition: Animals of the Canals

A Hidden World in the Heart of the City

The Amsterdam canals are more than just an iconic backdrop, they are the habitat for thousands of animals that navigate the city daily. From eels and spined loach to mute swans, beneath the water’s surface lies a world rarely seen. In the exhibition ‘Animals of the Canals,’ running from July 11 to November 23, 2025, at the Grachtenmuseum in Amsterdam, this hidden nature is brought to light.

A Safe Haven Underwater

Especially for this exhibition, Neolithic Robotic 3D printed and installed a fish hotel: a 3D printed concrete structure placed in locations such as the Jacob Catskade. Developed in collaboration with ecologists, the hotel provides shelter, spawning grounds, and growth opportunities for fish like glass eels and spined loaches.

Featuring a rough texture, open chambers, and strategically placed entrances, the fish hotel meets the specific needs of these species. It serves as a tangible example of how technology and nature can synergize in urban spaces.

For those interested in seeing a fish hotel without diving into the water, visit the Grachtenmuseum and discover the neighbors you never knew were there – but always have been.

Location

Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam
Herengracht 386
1016 CJ Amsterdam

Period

July 11 to November 23, 2025”

From left to right: Martijn Bosch (Director of Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam), Isabelle van der Wiel (Ecologist at Dura Vermeer), Eric van Doorn (Operations Manager at Dura Vermeer), Jeroen Veger (Founder of Neolithic Robotic), Jorine Noordman (Expert in Nature-Inclusive Building), and Marije Cornelissen (Project Manager at Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam).

Foto: © Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam