Research: Urban Emptiness - parallel case Rotterdam-Detroit; Design: Rotterdam - Re-Financing Hofplein

Research: Urban Emptiness - parallel case Rotterdam-Detroit; Design: Rotterdam - Re-Financing Hofplein

Van Klink, R.W.

Vanstiphout, W. (mentor)
Nottrot, R. (mentor)
Van de Voort, J. (mentor)

Architecture

Architecture - Design as Politics - Explorelab

2012-01-26

This design gives a possible answer to the current problem of vacancy in the city of Rotterdam, which is mostly manifested in office buildings. Since Rotterdam has a lot of office space in its city center, one can literally observe this vacancy. This has a huge impact on the urban life. In the research done prior to the design I have compared two cities that are quite similar. Taking Detroit (USA) as an example of a failed city. This city is several steps ahead of many failing cities. Comparing topics such as industry, geography and sociology one can find similarities. This insight is very helpful for the process of the design. The design for Hofplein implements program that was located outside the city borders, in the suburbs. Big retail markets such as Ikea are placed in the vacant office towers around Hofplein. This intervention has an enormous impact on the liveliness in the center. By connecting the different buildings with one another, throughout a simple and buildable construction shoppers, tourist and citizens can interact in this new public domain.

Hofplein
finance
vacancy
Rotterdam
office

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:52cf64bb-27f0-41bf-a204-3049f46e84bd

2012-10-05

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2012 Van Klink, R.W.