Dutch National Wood Architecture Award 2014 - De Houtprijs

A new residential building up to 70 metres in height is added to the existing Ter Meulen shopping building in Rotterdam. This is an unusual project as the new building literally rests on the columns and foundations of the existing structure. The only additions are a pair of concrete lift shafts which also provide stability. The construction technique is unconventional for a project in the Netherlands, as the main structure is completely in steel and wood instead of heavy stone-like materials as concrete and limestone. The existing building is restored to its original conditions and houses three shopping floors. Parking facilities are provided on the second floor and on the roof of the existing Ter Meulen building. A roof garden for communal use is situated in the middle off the apartment building at 40 meters height.

The Ter Meulen building (Van den Broek and Bakema) was constructed in 1948, as one of the first new buildings after the second world war. With its glazed facades the shopping building was remarkable in its time for its transparent appearance. In 2001 the plan was to demolish the completely run-down building and build something new. Ibelings van Tilburg architecten proposed not to demolish the building, but to restore the Ter Meulen building to its original condition and add a new residential building on top. The new apartment building consists of a ‘wooden box’ with a glazed external skin around it. The loggias and galleries are located behind this glazed skin.

Advantages for the environment: Intensive form of space use and the original building is saved from demolition, thus waste is prevented. The use of steel and wood gave, beside the advantages of light-weight and prefabrication, flexibility for the floor plans. Even while construction was going on apartments were split up or added together.