Innovative
and futuristic. The key words I would use to describe the Rotterdam as a city.
Characterised by its mismatched buildings, it feels like a testing ground for
architects, with new building technologies being explored here. Architects are
able to experiment with gutsy structures and ideas in Rotterdam, whereas in
other cities with a greater history there is more concern with preservation of
the area. The city is relatively flat, meaning the high-rise structures provided
height and a varying scale. The city seemed to be focused around work and
industries, with most of the buildings being practical and functional. Of the
three days that I spent there I felt that the main purpose of many buildings
was for shopping or leisure, there being many eateries, high street retailers
etc. The residential and commercial buildings were separated meaning it didn’t
feel unified. The high-rise structures also seemed to overpower the low-rise
buildings. Being the second largest city in the Netherlands, I expected the
rush of London but was met with few young people or families. I was surprised
by the lack of green spaces but felt that the colourful houses and boats made
up for this.
Although I
appreciate the intricate design of many of these high-rise buildings, I was
drawn to the quaint and intimate low-rise buildings which created a sense of
community, with plants and bicycles outside and bright front doors. This
reminded me of cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam so is typical of that part
of the world. The public transport and bicycles, did however bring
liveliness and character to Rotterdam. The people were friendly but not overly
engaging. In contrast, when I spent time in Amsterdam the city was filled with
buildings created for art and being aesthetically pleasing. The people seemed
more engaging and less serious. The lifestyle in the two cities is interesting,
as they are only an hour via public transport from each other, but have contrasting
purposes as cities.
Rotterdam is
nicknamed the 'Gateway to Europe' due to its many transport connections (Rotterdam, The Gateway to Europe or the World, 2017) . It is a unique
city with an interesting history. After heavy bombing in the Blitz of WWII, the
entire city was nearly destroyed. The City Hall and the Post Office are two of
the preserved buildings remaining, the architecture of which stood out to me
amongst all of the new builds. They are made of the typical lightly coloured dutch
brick, whereas many of the new builds in Rotterdam use more modern materials
such as glass and steel. Instead of rebuilding what was damaged in the war
however, a new style entered the city from the 1950s. Rotterdam was restarted,
the plan being to separate various areas for shopping, banking, housing,
leisure (Rotterdam
History in a Nutshell, n.d.) . This was clear to
me when I visited, but it made the city feel a little separated and I felt did
not allow different types of people to interact.
Rotterdam is the principal port
of Europe and is important for the freight industry. It was the world's largest
port from 1962 to 2004 (A History of the Port of Rotterdam, 2015) , with access to the
Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt and North Sea. A vast quantity of shipping moves through
the port and goods that are transported by sea. Rotterdam leads the crude oil
throughput and storage and is a hub for petroleum distribution (Crude Oil Storage and Throughput, n.d.) . The port has
expanded overtime.
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| copyright wikipedia |
The Red Apple or the
'Manhattan of Rotterdam' displays a cluster of eclectic styles of architecture.
With flashy high-rise buildings of glass and steel against low-rise buildings
of brick sandwiched in-between, it creates quite a contrasting scene. This
gives an interesting skyline. The towers are fit for purpose providing for a
variety of shops, eateries and spaces for business use. These high-rise builds
are not typical of other Dutch cities I have visited; therefore, my opinion was
conflicted on them. I think the idea of having buildings that entail all your
different needs is a good one, such as the Montevideo tower. However, I prefer
the quaint and traditional Dutch architecture of the low-rise buildings of red
brick with small windows. They felt less overwhelming and held more character,
whereas the high-rise builds felt cold and unwelcoming. Due to their
smaller build I enjoyed the more intricate and thought-out detailing. These
buildings felt ‘lived in’.
At the time it was constructed in
1898, the Witte Huis was the tallest office building in Europe and known to be
the first 'skyscraper', with 10-storeys (Stunning Structures, 2016) . It is built of
iron, steel and concrete. Wood could have been a good alternative, but fear of
fire at the time of construction would have prevented its use (Wikipedia, n.d.) . As of present, the
tallest buildings in Rotterdam are the Maastoren skyscrapers, mainly constructed
out of aluminium. Aluminium is a lightweight metal with a high
strength-weight ratio. Steel could potentially have been used to construct
these skyscrapers, but aluminium is corrosion-resistant as it has a layer of
aluminium oxide to protect it. There are a wide variety of aluminium alloys and
it is 100% recyclable, making it a sustainable option also. However, it is a
more energy-intensive process so is expensive. The
aluminium panels are also in various shades, allowing for an interesting colouring
to the building. The building strength is provided
by a concrete core (Wikipedia,
n.d.) ,
which is able to resist the loads of this high-rise structure, provide
stability for the building and reduce deflections.
A collection of buildings that
interested me were the Cube Houses designed by architect Piet
Blom. Characterised by their typical Dutch steep staircases and loft-feel,
they felt both cosy and claustrophobic. The concept is novel and I can
understand why it is meant to be like a forest, as sunlight leaks through
the gaps almost like that of a tree top canopy. The houses felt serene and had
a community feel, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre
and noisy traffic, the
potted plants creating a calming atmosphere. The construction of three concrete
pillars supports each individual cube, thus providing a strong foundation. The
cubes consist of a timber frame structure so are very lightweight, yet
high-strength. The frames are covered in cement, wood fibreboards and zinc
panels and double-glazed windows are implemented. The fibreboards are smaller
pieces of wood pressed together with adhesives. The material used can be from a
sawmill, industrial waste or other scrap wood, so is a sustainable way of using
materials. The fibreboards can also be impregnated with preservative to combat
fungi. Using zinc panels is effective as they are long lasting, being
weatherproof. It tarnishes in air, which produces a thin oxide film, resisting
corrosion. (Why is Zinc Roofing and Cladding so Popular with
Architects?, n.d.) .
The yellow colouring of the Cube Houses against the grey sky, provides
liveliness and windows are used effectively to allow light into the small spaces
(Cubic Houses (Kubuswonig), Rotterdam , 2003) . I cannot say I
would want to live there, as it seemed to be more of aesthetics over
purpose. The houses although architecturally interesting are not space
effective and perhaps not designed for the purpose of living (The Curious Cubic Houses of Rotterdam , 2011) .
The Markhal was an also striking
piece of construction in Rotterdam. The concept of a covered market filled with
shopping outlets and apartments in the upper floors is both practical and
exciting, creating a space for people to congregate and enjoy themselves. Stone
arches structure the exterior, blending in with the pavements below. This is
contrasted with a highly colourful 36,000 square foot mural on the inside,
named ‘Cornucopia’ which is well lit by sunlight through the glass between the
arches. The transparency makes the hall a space that feels breathable and open.
As the glass façade uses large panes of class, it is likely it is cut into
panels so in the case that it shatters, it would be safer. This glass façade
creates challenges in how it is held up, but between the glass panels are
pre-stressed steel cables providing the strength needed. Glass doesn’t deform
when placed under a load and it can be toughened or tempered in order to
further strengthen it. This is important in a large construction like the
Markhal. I only saw the building in the daytime, but I can imagine at night it
would appear more impressive. It is a remarkable structure and I can see
why it was construction with intention of looking good on social media, as it
is photographable. On reflection, the building was out of place in contrast to
the small stallholders selling cheap items outside, under the fabric market
stalls. I suppose the Markhal is the modern take on the classic stall and
provides an end point as you walk through the busy market. However, I think I
preferred the liveliness and people-orientated stalls. It felt more charming
and relaxed (Markhal
Rotterdam, n.d.) .
Rotterdam central station, opened
in 2012, provides a bright space for people to utilise public transport. It has
a roof of stainless steel that points to the heart of the city and a glass roof
over the platforms allowing light to pour in. The roof is a sleek design that
jets upwards. Using stainless steel provides a durable, thin and lightweight
material. It is resistant to corrosion as it is an alloy containing chromium
and iron. It is also a sustainable building option as it is highly recyclable (Stainless Steel Roofing, n.d.) . The 130,000 solar
cells covering the roof, not only provide great function and sustainability,
but also allow different levels of light to be emitted to the platforms below (The World's Most Beautiful Train Stations, 2016) . Although the
structure is heavily modern, structural timber beams are used in the ceiling
creating a warm and calming atmosphere. Timber is a good choice of
material as it can be cut on site, is cost effective and easy to maintain. It
is a great choice for structural beams as it has a high strength to weight
ratio (Benefits
of Using Timber in Construction, n.d.) .
The Erasmus bridge was the first structural
landmark I stopped to observe in Rotterdam. It was inspiring to walk across it
and experience the views of the city above the water. Designed by Ben van
Berkel and appropriately nick-named 'The Swan', the asymmetric cable stayed
bridge is an elegant and minimalistic piece of construction. I expected a
bolder structure on arrival, but was pleasantly surprised with the reality.
Built in a grey-blue steel it camouflages with the sky and water. Steel is appropriate
for the bridge as it is a ductile, durable, versatile and strong material. The
pylon used is made from thermo-mechanically rolled S460ML high strength
steel (Hewett) . The
parts for the bridge were pre-fabricated allowing for precision. Steel doesn't
have the problem of shrinkage or creep which would arise if concrete were to be
used. A key issue that needs to be avoided when using steel is corrosion and
rust. When water reacts with steel iron hydroxides and iron oxides form. This
is overcome by a steel cover at the base of the cables and an HDPE protective
sleeve encasing each cable (Hewett) .
In conclusion, Rotterdam will remain
an enigma to me. I feel conflicted after visiting the city. Although I admire
the courageous architecture and movement towards new sustainable building
technologies, I am biased towards traditional architecture and materials as I
prefer the aesthetics of these. I do however since visiting, feel enriched in
my knowledge and inspired by the possibilities of the built environment. It is
important to be innovative in order to allow construction to be more sustainable,
use resources more effectively and safely.
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