Amazing Architecuture of Rotterdam
Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, also referred to as Manhattan on the Meuse, is known for its unique and impressive architecture. Home of the Netherlands Architecture Institute, Rotterdam is esteemed worldwide for its architectural prowess. The fact that Rotterdam is known for its architecture is, in and of itself, miraculous, since most of the city center was destroyed in the WWII era; however, Rotterdam has made an amazing comeback. In the city, you’ll find not only post-war reconstruction, but also super-modern skyscrapers which have been more recently added.
Rotterdam’s cube houses, also known as pole houses or tree houses, were designed by architect Piet Bloom. His goal was to design a smaller village within the city, with the houses being designed as trees. Cube houses are tipped to the side such that three sides face the ground and three face the sky, making them a unique modern marvel. The Kijk-Kubus is a show version of a cube house which allows visitors to discover what living in a cube house is like.
Dubbed “the most beautiful spectacle of the modern age” and “a poem in steel and glass,” the Van Nelle Factory is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a factory for processing everything from coffee, tea and tobacco to chewing gum, cigarettes, and pudding, the factory now houses a variety of companies and workspaces. Designed by the same architect, the Sonneveld House is now a museum which sees over 30,000 visitors annually.
The Erasmus Bridge is both cable-stayed and includes a pivoting section. Officially inaugurated in 1996, the Erasmus Bridge has been featured in a variety of movies. Its distinctive swan shape is best viewed from the top of the Euromast, one of the highest towers in all of the two provinces that make up Holland.
ProTip: A night viewing is absolutely stunning and the best view is from Eruomast building. Make reservations and dine with a view of the entire city day or night!
The White House, or Witte Huis, is often called the first high rise building in all of Europe. Rising to 141 (or about 14 stories) feet tall, the White House was built in 1898 and is in the Art Nouveau style. It is one of the few buildings to survive the German bombings of WWII and has an iconic look which includes a white façade, a decorative roof, and turrets on the corners.
The Markthal Rotterdam, also known as the Market Hall, is a market below and office building above. Its shape resembles an upside-down horseshoe, and it is the largest glass window cable structure in all of Europe. The interior artwork is not to be missed, and the technology that created it is the same utilized by Pixar in the making of computer-generated movies.
Because Rotterdam is looking to double the number of inhabitants of the city, building construction will never be complete. Giant cranes may forever swing to-and-fro as new architecture is added to the ever-changing skyline, making returning to Rotterdam again and again a must-do for any architecture aficionado.
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