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SERIEN EIN WOCHENENDE IN ... • WEEKEND IN ...

World. The ss Rotterdam is berthed at the quay of Katen -
drecht as a reminder and serves as a mu seum- and hotel
ship. The shipping-company building from 1901 exudes
the glamour of past days. There is a large selection of fish
and seafood and it is highly recommended. Enjoy!
10 p.m. – Energized, we now proceed to De Rotterdam
(11) completed in 2013 according to a design by Rem Kool -
haas. Three towers contain a vertical city with offi ces,
apartments and a hotel. We ride up to the roof terrace of
the nhow hotel with a view of the city – the perfect place
to end the evening while drinking a cocktail. And if you
have booked a room here, it is not far to your bed.

Sunday: art, design and fashion

10 a.m. – We return to the city for breakfast. Either by
water taxi or on foot across the Erasmus Bridge with a
length of 800 metres which was constructed in 1996 as a
cable-stayed bridge according to plans by Ben van Berkel
and Caroline Bos. We first head for the west part of the
city. Here the mix of the old and the new is also conside-
Foto: Jeroen Musch rable yet on a smaller scale than in the city centre.

Nieuwe Binnenweg above all is lined with boutiques, de -
bar (12), those in the know order UEB Blend coffee.
Kunsthal (15) 1992 von • by OMA sign studios and cafés. I recommend the Urban espresso
11.30 a.m. – Before returning to the centre, we stroll
T he decision to gain professional experience in Rotter - 12.30 p.m. – We go for lunch to the Dudok (5) restaurant through the colourful district. In doing so, we pass the
at the Delftsevaart canal. Willem Marinus Dudok desi-
PLEK (13) concept store which has unusual brands of
dam after studying was one of my best. Well-known
Dutch architects are represented here as much as interna- gned the building in 1952. It reflects the style of this signi- fashion and design objects – a treasure trove for presents.
tional big names and additional ones are continuously ficant Dutch architect, a mixture of Amsterdam School Have a look at Hartman afterwards, one of the city’s
being added since the city is still far from completed. And and Frank Lloyd Wright. Besides the architecture, the oldest furniture stores.
the residents use the opportunity to eagerly participate in Dudok is known for its good food and the best desserts 1 p.m. – We continue on to the Het Nieuwe Instituut (14)
the development process. Inspiring interim uses are crea- in the city. Definitely do not miss out on the apple pie! museum in the Museumpark. Joe Coenen designed it as
ted, events are organized and pop-up initiatives started. I 1.30 p.m. – After this culinary delight, we stroll on along the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI) in 1993. Since
could currently not imagine a better place to live. the canal to the Blokker Building (6) in Hoogstraat. The 2013, this has been where the institutes for design, fa shion
department store was designed in the 1950s by and the new media are also located. The ticket for the
Saturday: city centre and port area Kraaijvanger Architects and renovated until 2010. It was museum also gives you access to Huis Sonneveld next
one of the first projects in which I participated as an door. The guided tours there are always highly informative
9 a.m. – We get a coffee at Lebkov & Sons, plus excellent architect. One of the objectives was to restore the striking and inspiring. The residential building designed in 1933 by
service and a magnificent view. Through the high glass decorative elements of the façade. Brinkman en Van der Vlugt is one of the best-conserved
windows, one looks out at the asymmetrical roof of our 2 p.m. – One of the latest additions is the Markthal (7) examples of New Objectivity in Rotterdam. The ar chitects
main station (1) completed in 2014 by Ben them Crou wel completed in 2014 according to plans by MVRDV. also designed the interiors for the director of the Van Nelle
Architecten and impressively welcoming travellers. Opposite it, on the other side of the market square, the factory in Schiedam which is also worth a visit. In addition
10 a.m. – Across the station square, we continue towards Kubuswoningen designed by Piet Blom are located – to numerous installations, they designed several luminai-
the Westersingle canal. On the way, we pass the some of the most unusual residential buildings to be res for the residence of Albertus Sonneveld.
Groothandelsgebouw (2), the first example of the multi- found. After the hustle and bustle of the market we walk 4 p.m. – A further architectural icon is also found here:
faceted Rotterdam post-war modernism. Designed in on to the Het Steiger St Dominicus Church (8) designed the Kunsthal Rotterdam (15), likewise a design by Rem
1953 by the architects Maaskant and Van Tijen, it is the by Kraaijvanger Architects in 1959. An impressive exam- Koolhaas. On the way there, we pass the Boijmans van
first office building with various companies under one ple of modern eclecticism where traditional elements Beuningen (16) art museum from 1935. The Kunsthal,
roof. On we go to the De Doelen concert hall (3). The buil- and modern construction techniques were combined – opened in 1992, impresses with the innovative use of
ding, completely destroyed during the war, was replaced for me, one of the most beautiful spots in Rotterdam. materials and the different heights overcome with ramps
by Kraaijvanger Architects, my employers, in 1966. Our 4 p.m. – We leave the city centre behind and take the outside as well as. Apart from the architecture, the well-
office is opposite it. You are welcome to come upstairs underground, tram or water taxi to the other side of the curated exhibitions are always worth seeing.
and have coffee; however, we avoid working at week- Nieuwe Maas to the Katendrecht peninsula. For a long 6 p.m. – The Het Park was laid out in the 1980s. In the
ends. At the end of the canal, we turn left into Lijnbaan, time, the former seamen’s district had been a social hot- summer, people meet here after work and at the week-
the first car-free pedestrian zone in the whole world spot and, since 2007, it has been part of the city renova- end. In the background, you can see the Euromast (17)
which, in 1953, was designed as a new way of shopping tion. In an old warehouse, the Fenix Food Factory (9) tower designed in 1960 by Huig Maaskant for the interna-
by Van den Broek en Bakema. offers all kinds of restaurants. With a beer by Kaapse tional Floriade garden show. It is the highest viewing
Noon – On the way to the Timmerhuis (4) residential and Brouwers, we enjoy the view of the skyline from the quay. tower in the Netherlands.
administrative building, which OMA completed in 2015 7 p.m. – Across the Rijnhavenbrug pedestrian bridge, we 7 p.m. – We walk along the river Maas to my favourite
as an extension of the city administration, we pass city arrive on the Kop van Zuid peninsula and at the Hotel restaurant: La Pizza (18). Order a plate of antipasti and
hall. The building constructed in 1920 according to plans New York (10) which opened its gates about 25 years ago the daily special and experience the best Italian cuisine
by Henri Evers is one of the few to have survived the at the former headquarters of the Holland-America Lijn. has to offer. With a glass of wine we thus conclude the
bombings in May 1940. The garden in the courtyard is Until the 20th century, it was from here that thousands of weekend in Rotterdam where there is still so much more
open to the public and perfect for a break. people set out with the hope for a better life in the New to discover.

056 • AIT 7/8.2017