Architectural Design V-IX: Rotterdam Maashaven (A.Gigon)

Abstract

After the last few semesters with design locations in Zurich, we are moving to Rotterdam and trying to apply our findings with a focus on sustainability in the development of the Maashaven.

Objective

Ability to develop a draft from an idea, a concept to a mature project, to question intermediate stages again and again critically and to find an individual design method and attitude.

Content

Rotterdam has 655'000 inhabitants on a total area of 324km2 (216km2 land/108km2 water), the density of 2022 inhabitants/km2 is only half that of Zurich. Population growth is estimated at 695,000 inhabitants in 2030, similar to Zurich at 5,500 inhabitants/year. The demand for housing (50,000 by 2040), commercial and office space, schools and leisure/cultural uses is high and is to be met by transforming the harbour areas into mixed-use quarters in the city centre. Large green and park areas as well as a catalogue of sustainability measures regarding community, mobility, biodiversity, heat reduction and alternative energies play an important role. We want to address the challenges of sustainable densification of the growing city and design quality buildings in different scales that respond to the specific places and enrich the Maashaven. The relationship to the water, the formation of the base with public uses and its interconnection with the neighbourhood is essential. The focus is on mixed-use and affordable housing, which is to be developed together with commercial, office, leisure and cultural uses into conglomerates of uses with hybrid forms. The load-bearing structures are generously dimensioned, thus neutral in use and polyvalent. The access routes are differentiated, varied and extended with places for community. They are intended to be experimental solutions that make innovative social offers, find a good balance between durability, low ecological footprint and material consumption, and reduce the carbon footprint. Together with the Block Research Group, we focus on efficient, lightweight load-bearing structures to significantly reduce grey energy and CO2 emissions. Corresponding calculations help us in our design decisions. With the prefabrication of load-bearing structures, core elements, façades and other components, we make a contribution to the circular economy in that components can be dismantled and reused at the end of their service life. In the case of new buildings on or near the water and in dealing with existing industrial buildings, as well as through the stacking of rooms of different sizes in section, structural challenges arise such as spans, stepping and cantilevers, which are to be carefully weighed in relation to effort and return. The goal is expressive architecture that is present, convincing and emotionally moving. Lectures on Rotterdam, inputs on waterfront development and sustainability as well as workshops for design-defining visualisations will support us in the design process. The projects will be discussed at interim and final critiques with guests and the chair in the range of concept idea, urban embedding, interconnectedness, architectural expression and presence, concept load-bearing structure, quality of exterior and interior spaces, and sustainability. In collaboration with the Block Research Group (BRG) Design in groups of 2 Optional construction as an integrated discipline is offered

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