VMX Architects

Hoogvliet

Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters

HOOGVLIET

VMX Architects

ARCHITECTS
VMX Architects

YEAR
2007

AREA
18860 m²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Christian Richters

LOCATION
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

INTERIOR DESIGNER
VMX Architects, Cristina Ascensão

CATEGORY
Apartments

Text description provided by architect.

Many of the post-war neighbourhoods in the Netherlands are currently being ‘restructured’. Hoogvliet, a satellite town near Rotterdam, is one of them.

Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters
Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters
Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters

The restructuring process implies many housing blocks are replaced by contemporary ones, often by erasing typical spatial qualities of post war urbanism such as the open building structure and the abundance of greenery. VMX’s goal was to reinforce these existing qualities by a contemporary design.

The plan consists of 80 low-rise houses and 60 high-rise apartments for families and elderly people on top of a shopping centre.

Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters
Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters

The starting point of the commissioner was that the existing houses had to be demolished and replaced by better and larger houses. However, the number of houses had to remain the same.

Also various mature trees at the location, the long sight lines between the buildings, and the amount of public greenery should be respected in the new plan.

Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters
Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters

Convinced of the spatial qualities of post war urbanism, VMX re-invents post war qualities by proposing a system of strips of terraced houses linked in a meandering line. The design combines car-parking at ground level, under the terraced houses, with high-quality exterior space for everyone. In addition the meandering shape ensures an interlocking with the park.

The narrow high-rise volume – ten storeys high – is placed on a pedestal of shops. This way generous galleries open up the apartments and at the same time function as luxurious private outdoor spaces.

Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters
Hoogvliet
© Christian Richters

In its materialization the design harmonizes with the surrounding architecture and simultaneously radiates a certain wealth and optimism, using green and orange colored glass, carved stone and perforated aluminium.


Hoogvliet
Ground Floor Plan
Hoogvliet
First Floor Plan
Hoogvliet
Second Floor Plan
Hoogvliet
Third Floor Plan


Hoogvliet
Section
Hoogvliet
Section


Hoogvliet
Situation
Hoogvliet
Dwelling Highrise Plab

VMX Architects
T +31 20 6761211
VMX Architects
Wamberg 35, 1083 CW Amsterdam, Netherlands