ROTTERDAM G E R M A N Y B E LG I U M F R A N C E I N D U S T R I - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

N E T H E R L A N D S N O R T H S E A ROTTERDAM G E R M A N Y B E LG I U M F R A N C E

I N D U S T R I A L P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L Z U S L AT E 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y Throughout its history of urban development, the idea of combining public and private spaces has always been evident as a strategy by architects to connect the city’s population. Developments using this strategy have become more prevalent as Rotterdam’s values have extended beyond industrialization. 2 0 0 1

I N D U S T R I A L Rotterdam grew from a grassroots settlement around a dam to Europe’s gateway to the world. The city was originally constructed as a dam in 1270, and grew to host Europe’s largest port in the 1800’s. Rotterdam’s port quickly became part of the city’s identity, along with the economic power it gave. This allowed Rotterdam to make a name for itself internationally, referred to by the rest of Europe as the Gateway to the World.

I N D U S T R I A L After the Rotterdam Blitz, the city prioritized industrial development. In 1940, Rotterdam’s centre was heavily bombed by German forces. Rotterdam was reconstructed with haste in fear of Germany building a port larger than theirs. To combat this, the municipality of the city adopted the Basic Plan, which focused con economic development and promoted functional modernist architecture.

This exhibition calls on the people of Rotterdam to take note of what we call the biggest urban operation our land has ever seen to express solidarity, to grow with the new city, and to contribute critical remarks, advice and ideas that provide ingredients to build the city of the future. Het Vrije Volk, 1947

I N D U S T R I A L line path v a n d e n b r o e k & b a k e m a 1 9 5 3

I N D U S T R I A L l i j n b a a n The Lijnbaan was an isolated effort by architects & urban planners to integrate public and private spaces . Opened in 1953, it became Europe’s first pedestrian-only shopping precinct. Developed with a high-rise residential area, it intended to be a living room for the city. It was a tangible gesture toward the future, expressing hope for a better life after the bombing of Rotterdam’s city centre.

I N D U S T R I A L l i j n b a a n PA R K A PA R T M E N T S P E D E S T E R I A N S H O P P I N G S T R E E T P U B L I C S PA C E P R I VAT E S PA C E

By the 1980s, a lack of respect for its original intent contributed to its environment becoming unwelcoming and dangerous. Its management is an example of attempts to integrate public and private space being overpowered by industrialist ideals.

I N D U S T R I A L 1 9 5 9 shooting block

I N D U S T R I A L s c h i e b l o c k Developments of this time period time did not stitch together the urban fabric of the city. The Schieblock was constructed in 1959; its form indicative of the modern brutalist architecture of the mid-to-late 20th century. Its planned occupants, an insurance company, never moved in. This wasted roughly 1,000 square metres the inner city.

I N D U S T R I A L s c h i e b l o c k The Schieblock failed to consider urban integration. The Schieblock was not used by any other companies due to a global economic downturn and an oversaturation of office spaces. Its ownership shifted to the municipal government, who attempted to use it as a school. However, the Schieblock’s strict functionalist design prevented its repurposing, and it was abandoned.

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L Around the end of the 20th century, Rotterdam began a transition toward a post-industrial economy. Cheap land, a highly educated populace, and changes to federal and municipal government urban planning policies contributed to a city which supported the growth of architecture and urban design firms. Among these internationally acclaimed firms are MVRDV, OMA, West 8, Van den Broek & Bakema and ZUS.

Freedom was given to established and new architecture firms to experiment and innovate through policies and funding. Upon this foundation, these architecture firms chose to combine public and private spaces to direct Rotterdam’s urbanization toward an environment conducive to a creative and knowledge economy.

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L art hall O M A 1 9 9 2

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L k u n s t h a l The Kunsthal is a multi-purpose space that blends its exhibition halls with public walkways. OMA’s Kunsthal was constructed in 1992, and is an early example of an innovative way to combine urban planning and architecture. It is located between a main road and Rotterdam’s Museumpark, the building straddles pedestrian paths, bringing the public through the private exhibition halls.

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L k u n s t h a l E X H I B I T I O N H A L L R O A D WA L K WAY P U B L I C S PA C E P R I VAT E S PA C E

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L w e s t 8 1 9 9 2 theater park

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L s c h o u w b u r g p l e i n The Schouwburgplein is a public plaza in the centre of Rotterdam lit with an interactive lighting display. In 1996, architecture firm West 8 constructed the Schouwburgplein. The project transformed the unusable space of the parking structure roof into an interactive public plaza with pedestrian-operated lighting cranes. West 8 describes Schouwburgplein’s elevation as a strategy to declare it the city’s stage, framing its festivals and installations with the city’s skyline and its audience of inhabitants.

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L s c h o u w b u r g p l e i n C O N C E R T H A L L C I N E M A P L A Z A P U B L I C S PA C E P R I VAT E S PA C E

P O S T I N D U S T R I A L M V R D V 2 0 1 4 market hall

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L m a r k t h a l Rotterdam’s MVRDV architects innovatively use private housing to create public space. In 2014, the Markthal opened as the Netherland’s largest indoor food market. The roof over the vendors is formed by privately owned apartments with inward facing windows, connecting the spaces with one another. MVRDV’s aim with the Markthal was to create “a building in which all functions are fully integrated to celebrate and enhance their synergetic possibilities”.

P O S T - I N D U S T R I A L m a r k t h a l A PA R T M E N T S S H O P P I N G M A R K E T PA R K I N G P U B L I C S PA C E P R I VAT E S PA C E

VAN NELLE FABRIEK LIJNBAAN MARKTHAL SCHOUWBURGPLEIN KUNSTHAL

The imaginary power of architecture can contribute to a necessary shift of boundaries between private and public , short and long term, temporary and permanent. It’s within these paradoxes that true progressive projects can emerge that on the one hand take a long-term responsibility and the other hand offer possibility for user and civic engagement. ZUS

Z U S Z U S 2 0 0 9 shooting block

Z U S s c h i e b l o c k ZUS converted the previously unusable Schieblock into their innovative incubator for entrepreneurs. The founders of ZUS moved into the Schieblock to prevent squatting. Instead of knocking it down, the owner of the building accepted ZUS’s proposal, alongside a 52 million euro investment from the municipal government, to use the building for 5 years as a startup incubator. Its ground floor is dedicated to local designers, a cafe and bar, while office spaces are rented to small businesses.

Z U S s c h i e b l o c k ZUS’s renovation of the Schieblock encouraged the creation and connection of public spaces. At the 2012 International Architects Rotterdam Biennale, ZUS unveiled Test Site Rotterdam. The project consisted of the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge, the Biergarten, and the rooftop garden Dakakker. The goal of Test Site Rotterdam was to revitalize urban districts by interweaving public and private spaces.

Z U S s c h i e b l o c k In 2012, the roof of the Schieblock was transformed into the Dakakker, Europe’s first urban farming roof. It cultivates fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey bees. Being available to the public, Dakakker works to surround ZUS’s private workplaces with public spaces, inviting connections with Rotterdam citizens.

Z U S air canal Z U S 2 0 1 2

Z U S l u c h t s i n g e l The Luchtsingel is a crowdfunded bridge that connects divided communities. In 2012, construction began on the Luchtsingel, an elevated pedestrian walkway. The Luchtsingel encourages the use of public places, and also reconnects communities separated during industrialization by railway lines and highways. ZUS identified the needs of the community around the Schieblock, ideated a solution, and successfully crowdfunded it. This indicated their insights were accurate.

Z U S l u c h t s i n g e l In its materials, form, and function, the Luchtsingel mirrors ZUS’ values. The bridge uses wood to be easily removed, employs walls which reveal occupants, and connects areas otherwise unreachable by walking; even when passing through the Schieblock’s second floor. The Luchtsingel is designed to be temporary, while providing opportunities for permanent connections between communities in Rotterdam’s Central District.

Z U S Z U S 2 0 1 5 air park