MVRDV, Rotterdam

Authors
Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Collaborators
Marc Joubert, Bart Hollanders, Uli Queisser, Chris H. S. Lai, Frans de Witte, Michele Olcese, Marin Kulas, Martijn van der Ban
Expert planners
Load-bearing structure: Rory McGowan, Richard Lawson, Ove Arup, London with Chris Lam, D&BN, Rotterdam
Construction costs: Ruud Geering, Bouwhaven Consultants, Barendrecht
Construction-related physics: Paul van Bergen, The Hague

Remarks by the jury
The proposal is one of the most spectacular entries and in that sense fulfils the demand for a landmark. Situated along Veraartlaan, it avoids the otherwise common solution of a wall building by allowing the office floors to embrace the vertical communication shafts instead of crossing them, as would be normal. This creates a diagonally transparent volume with great architectural potential and results in the integration of the entrance court and the connection to the existing “Hinge” into an overall architectural gesture of impressive quality.
However, in relation to its surroundings, the scale is fully adapted to the highway.
By placing the new building in front of “The Hinge”, a large part of the existing car park can be retained. In general, the proposal very cleverly adapts to the existing situation.
However, serious questions have to be asked as to the working conditions. The architectural arrangement creates long monotonous corridors and the arrangement of the “beams” makes for a large number of offices with suboptimal lighting.
The most prominent feature of this design is the brave and convincing proposal to maintain at least parts of the present EPO tower, which are to be transformed into communal facilities and suspended gardens. Many questions remain unanswered as to the economic viability of this course of action and as to the project’s advantages. However, the jury recognizes the detailed proposals as to constructional feasibility and the general attitude of the approach that constitutes a major contribution to the competition.