Prinsessenflats, Rotterdam

This complex of four 11-storey residential buildings, designed by architect Rein Fledderus, is one of the first projects in Rotterdam-Alexanderpolder; an expansion area from the 60s of the last century designed by urban planner Lotte-Stam Beese. Decades later, despite, or perhaps thanks to, developments in the vicinity and "infringements", the neighborhood still has a major appeal. At the beginning of the '90s, many people from Rotterdam, young families at the time of moving, lived in the Princess apartments. When news began to circulate about the demolition / new construction of the homes that were considered too small and therefore insufficiently future-proof by "policymakers", these residents, often considerably above the age of 70, became passionately committed to preserving the complex.

The Volkswoningen Foundation is convinced: a construction team with a lot of resident participation is being established, which results in a plan for renovation and upgrading of the 660 homes.

The technical infrastructure (lifts, central heating, MV, kitchens) has been replaced and there is additional insulation. The "exterior" interventions such as the replacement of fencing, façade insulation and color choices are aimed at maintaining and reinforcing the "layering" of the facades. A generous, newly designed entrance hall and a tile motif recognizable for each of the 44 floors, designed by Delft artist Cedric Sikkens, have added quality and experience value to the public area, which can clearly be experienced more than ten years after it came into existence.

Client: Stichting Volkswoningen

Design: 1993

Construction: 1995 - 1996

Contractor: Grootel Bouwmaatschappij, (Ballast Nedam-West) Rotterdam

Slovak Embassy, The Hague

Situated in The Hague, on the Dutch coast, this project provides a new outdoor terrace and entrance stairwell for the Slovak embassy building.
The original building, dating back to the early 20th century once featured a landscaped terrace which provided a welcoming point of entry for visitors.
Following a number of modern interventions, the terrace was removed and the building presented itself in a formal manner to the public, something which the embassy felt is not appropriate.
Our proposal involved the construction of a new stairwell and terrace that welcomes visitors.
The materials used in the new work relate to those of the existing house/building;
walls are made of brick, steps from a dark belgium stone and the hand rails are made from steel.

Zegro Groothandel, Rotterdam

The brasserie in this catering wholesaler functions as a meeting point for customers and employees of Zegro. The existing layout was dated and required a number of practical improvements.

The strategic position at the entrance and checkout area is essential for the role of the brasserie. The two facades that focus on this are designed with large openings for transparency. The L-shaped bar with the sink kitchen behind it is placed in the closed corner of the rectangular floor plan. A long L-shaped sofa with small bistro tables on the inside is a perfect vantage point to drink a cup of coffee after the shopping tour.

The facades are designed as portals, covered with untreated blue steel sheet. The sofa is silver, which means that the padding comes out well. In the middle there is a large reading table and in the back two high sit-stand tables with high chairs. Both floor and tables are made of solid oak planks with a white-wash coating. The dark bar furniture with a Nero Assoluto top and blue steel front stands out against the white-tiled rear wall, which continues into the sink kitchen. Behind the short part of the bar is a kitchen corner, against a central block randomly tiled in three shades of gray with the extraction system included. On the expanded metal top panel the name “Bistrozet” is placed in bright red neon. Large cylindrical lampshades in various shades of brown give atmosphere and privacy to the various seating areas.

he brasserie was festively opened on March 29, 2012 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of ZEGRO.

The old Non-Food department was full and messy. Scaffolding were arranged diagonally. The aim of the redesign was to improve the findability of products and to align with the Zegro image concept.

As part of the main circuit in the more than 4000 m2 customer space, the main corridor in the Non-Food department has been equipped with a ceiling rise. The central area of the department is also equipped with a raised ceiling and all the department's paths lead to this.

The wall racks are unambiguously designed with a height of 2.4 meters. Each wall rack is equipped with an upper cupboard element up to the ceiling made of oak. The boxes can be filled in differently, but the boxes are regularly provided with illuminated red glass plates with a product icon. The icon represents the product that can be found in the nearby racks. In the store, the area above the racks arranged in orthogonal rows is kept clear of obstacles so that the red panels are visible from anywhere. This system offers the customer overview and peace of mind in the huge range and can also be applied in the other departments. It is in line with the Zegro house style where image communication is central.

The old fluorescent lighting has been replaced by high-efficiency gas discharge lamps, reducing the electricity consumption for lighting by half.

Client: ZEGRO, Rotterdam

Design: 2011

Construction: 2012 jan- mar

Contractor: Bouwbedrijf SPEE, Rotterdam

Rubroek, Rotterdam

The Rubroek service flat is located in the heart of Rotterdam's Crooswijk neighborhood. The complex was built in 1975 and provided 201 two-room apartments and 14 three-room apartments for the elderly. In 2005 the client decided to carry out major maintenance. The houses also had to be adapted to the demands of the times and the layout of the general areas was dated. The unique location next to the Rubroek care apartment made it easy to deliver 'customized care'. The realization of lifecycle-proof homes was obvious here.

At the start of the major maintenance contract, in January 2006, the exact schedule of requirements still had to be worked out. To this end, a planning team has been set up in which the Stichting Ouderenhuisvesting Rotterdam as owner, Stichting de Singels as residential care organization and our architectural office took a seat. After an inventory and discussions with the tenants' committee and employees of the De Singels foundation, it was decided to extend the major maintenance. In addition to technical maintenance, such as renewing the roof, installing insulating glazing and improving ventilation, the bathrooms have been enlarged and the houses have been made wheelchair accessible. A number of two-room apartments have been merged so that 17 additional three-room apartments have been added. In addition, the plan provides for spaces for the healthcare infrastructure, space for scooters and various building facilities. The improved entrance at street level is next to a completely new practice for physio-manual therapy and is connected to a new large lift that is adapted to the intensive use of mobility scooters. Because construction takes place inhabited condition, construction logistics have already been taken into account during the design phase. During the construction preparations, together with the contractor, it was examined which adjustments and facilities could further reduce the nuisance for residents. In the implementation phase, intensive consultations are held daily between the client, care providers, residents on the one hand and the implementing parties on the other. This consultation is crucial for the success of the project. Our office is not only responsible for the design, but also conducts the management during construction work.

Client: Stichting Ouderenhuisvesting Rotterdam

Design: 2006 – 2007

Construction: 2008 - 2010

Contractor: BAM Woningbouw Rotterdam

Police Station Mijnsherenlaan, Rotterdam

In 2002 werd gestart met de bouw van de Queen of South, een 71 meter hoge woontoren op een elipsvormig laagbouwdeel, gelegen tegenover het metrostation Maashaven in Rotterdam.

In 2004, our firm was commissioned to design a facility for the Tarwewijk neighborhood team, now known as the Mijnsherenlaan police station. The police were able to rent a limited amount of space on the ground floor, while more square meters were available on the upper floor. Since the structural work had already been completed, the options for creating a floor opening between the ground floor and the first floor were limited. The stairwell thus became a key starting point for the design.

From the entrance, a curved wall guides visitors to the reception desk. The public lobby features a single registration area. The staircase behind the reception desk leads directly to the neighborhood team room on the upper floor. The requested “backup” for the reception desk function is thus optimally designed. In the team room, the staircase and the balustrade surrounding the stairwell form a central hub around which various functions are grouped: work, social interaction, and support services. Spaces such as the manager’s office, the briefing room, and the restrooms must be lockable and are arranged around the team room.

As with all the police stations we have designed, our firm also handled the project management and supervision of the construction.

Foto’s: fotografie Sonnega

Police Station Zaagmolenstraat, Rotterdam

As part of the so-called "strategic neighborhood approach" in the Oude Noorden area, a residential block between 1st Pijnackerstraat, Tochtstraat, Meidoornstraat and Zaagmolenstraat was demolished in 2004 to make way for replacement new construction: the Wilgenhof project. In addition to housing, the block also contains the necessary rentable spaces, including on the corner of the Zaagmolenstraat and the 1e Pijnackerstraat. The central location in the neighborhood inspired the facility company of the Regional Police to investigate whether a replacement accommodation could be realized at this location for 2 neighborhood teams that operated from outdated accommodations.

We were commissioned for an exploratory study and concluded that there were good possibilities, provided that a projected stairwell could be moved. Because construction was now in full swing, it prompted rapid action in consultation with the architect of the complex, the constructor and the builder.

Based on the changed hull, the design of the new district office could be further elaborated. A prerequisite for this - in view of the state of the project at the time of "hooking up" - was respect for the facade (layout and materialization) or the design of the architect of the complex.

The office has a public entrance on the Zaagmolenstraat. Vehicles find a place in the inner area, where the service entrance is located. The office contains work and facility spaces for 2 neighborhood teams, but also provides meeting / work spaces for police project teams.

Foto’s: fotografie Sonnega

Client: Politie Rotterdam-Rijnmond,Facilitair bedrijf

Design: 2005

Construction: 2006

Contractor: Martens Aannemingsbedrijf, Lekkerkerk

Police Station Rijstuin, Rotterdam

The Rijstuin 176 is located on the ground floor of the Blaaktoren, popularly called "the pencil". This tower, like the adjacent cube houses, was designed by architect Piet Blom. The floor only has windows on one side, a limited clear height, a lower narrow entrance and limited options for installations. When Rotterdam-Rijnmond police were looking for accommodation for two neighborhood teams, the floor was initially rejected. However, the location on the market and in the immediate vicinity of Blaak station was so favorable for the police that our office was asked in 2003 to make a plan anyway.

The limitations of the building were seen as challenges, and we proceeded pragmatically. Due to the correct arrangement of the various rooms and the use of glass system doors, daylight is optimally used. The contrast between a lowered ceiling in traffic areas and higher ceilings with installation pipes in sight ensures that the workspaces are optically raised. The choice of color, material and lighting also gives the rooms a pleasant atmosphere without daylight. The applied colors are in keeping with the colors of Piet Blom's exterior. At the opening, the police called this project an optimum between the intended quality and the associated construction costs.

Foto’s: fotografie Sonnega

Client: Police, Rotterdam Unit, Facilities Management

Design: 2003

Construction: 2004

Contractor: van de Tempel, Schiedam