Rotterdam is the city of architecture in The Netherlands and we are proud of that. After the bombardment of 14 May 1940 the complete city center was destroyed. Only the City Hall and the former postoffice (next door) survived. The Laurenschurch was badly damaged but was rebuilt and is still in use today. The bombardment also meant a new start for the city center. Nowadays you will find an overview of 20th century modern architecture in combination of historic buildings just outside the city center fire boundary in the Scheepvaartkwartier area and in Delfshaven. A perfect combination between past, present & future.
In The Netherlands we say: "Rotterdam is never finished". Every time you visit the city you will see a changed skyline and new projects being developed. Eyecatcher definately is the Erasmusbridge (1996, architect Ben van Berkel) connecting the Southern suburbs with the city center. In 2009 a new landmark was finished with the name: The Red Apple (2008, KCAP architects and designer Jan des Bouvries). De Maastoren (Dam & Partners) also reached her top at 165 meters and currently is the highest building in Rotterdam and the highest officebuilding in The Netherlands. Only 100 meters from the Maastoren the New Orleans tower (Alvaro Silva) is being developed. With a height of 158 meters this is the highest appartment building in the country.
Currently Rotterdam Central District is one of the main construction sites in The Netherlands. Other main constructions in Rotterdam are the Market Hall and Rem Koolhaas' new municipal office and office/hotel/appartmentbuilding De Rotterdam (see below). The leading OMA Architects (Office for Metropolitan Architecture / Rem Koolhaas) have their headquarters in Rotterdam.
Obviously the city center is of interest but also developments on the Wilhelminapier, Lloydkwartier and Kop van Zuid. These former industrial areas and quays are being developed into urban living, recreation and business locations.
Museum House Sonneveld - Museumpark - Hypermodern villa built in 1933 and one of the best preserved examples of the New Building School of Architecture - Architects Brinkman & Van der Vlugt;
City Information Center - Coolsingel 197 - all about the past, the present and the future - including a city model. Start your architecture Rotterdam tour at CIC;
Info Center Wilhelminapier - Otto Reuchlinweg 1002 - All about the developments on Wilhelminapier (South shore)
Berlage Institute - Botersloot 25 - The Berlage Institute is a post-academic laboratory for design-based research in architecture, urbanism, and other issues related to the built environment
A masterpiece in Rotterdam architecture is Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This former production site for coffee, tea and tobacco was designed by architects Brinkman & Van der Vlugt and built between 1925 and 1931. Guided tours take place in this unique industrial monument. Public transport: bus 38 towards Schiedam from Rotterdam Central Station. Location is outsite de city center!
"De Rotterdam" by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture & architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the projects currently being developed at Wilhelminapier. A new hotel, offices, appartments, bars and restaurants will find a unique location in this project that will be the largest building in m2 in The Netherlands. Check out the construction work via 2 webcams.
Expected June 2011 - Day of Architecture Location: various locations in the city center 10.00 - 17.00 hrs (free entrance & guided tours)
