Mei Architects And Planners

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation 

Mei architects and planners

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

BUILDING PHYSICS CONSULTANT
Lbp Sight

CLIENT
Heijmans Vastgoed

CONSTRUCTION
Abt

CONTRACTOR
Heijmans Woningbouw

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Reynaers Aluminium, Schöck, Forster, Kone, Adobe, Hci Betonindustrie, Rometa, Schellekens, Smits Gemert, Stairway Trappen, Trahecon, Trimble Navigation

STEELSTRUCTURE
Csm Steelstructures

INSTALLATION CONSULTANT
Techniplan Adviseurs

FIRE CONSULTANT
Lbp Sight

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Suzanne Fischer

HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Suzanne Fischer

FIRE CONSULTANT
Lbp Sight

WIND RESEARCH
Windsafe

DESIGN TEAM
Robert Winkel, Robert Platje, Michiel Van Loon, Ruben Aalbersberg, Sean Bos, King Chaichana, Kasia Ephraim, Johan Van Es, Danijel Gavranovic, Jan Hoogervorst, Rutger Kuipers, Arjan Kunst, Daam Van Der Leij, Ruben Van Der Plas, Riemer Postma, Rob Reintjes, Ed De Rooij, Adriaan Smidt, Lore Van De Venne, Roy Wijte, Menno Van Der Woude, Reinoud Van Der Zijde

PHOTOGRAPHS
Marc Goodwin

AREA
23000 m²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Apartments, Retail

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

Text description provided by architect.

With almost 45000m2 of mixed-use space and a unique steel structure built through the existing monumental warehouse, Rotterdam gained a bold and iconic building: Fenix I.

HISTORY.

The former so-called San Francisco warehouse, built in 1922 for the Holland America Line, was heavily damaged between 1940 and 1950 and restored into two buildings: Fenix I and Fenix II.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

In the 1980s port activities moved westward and the warehouses fell into disuse. In 2007, the city of Rotterdam committed to the restructuring of the Katendrecht district.

Over time Katendrecht transformed from a disadvantaged area into a trendy and most popular district , with numerous culinary, creative, and cultural enterprises, where Fenix I forms a great example.

DESIGN.

The design of Fenix I consists of three main parts. First, it comprises the existing warehouse – 140m long and 40m deep, with 2 floors with 6 meters free height - that has largely been redeveloped and renovated for mixed-use.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

The residential volume on top, an enclosed building block executed as flexible concrete construction, supports an immense steel table structure, that is built right through the warehouse.

It comprises 214 lofts, rental and privately owned, with a high degree of flexibility in size and layout and 2.5 meters deep outdoor spaces all around.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

An interlayer consisting of a gigantic spaceframe structure separates the existing warehouse and new volume above.

This layer has a clear height of 4m to 6m and accommodates loft apartments adjacent to a large courtyard garden, which is characterized by light, greenery, and transparency, and forms a strong contrast with the industrial dockyard structures.

It was a conscious decision to use a gallery to encourage social interaction and stimulate an inclusive community.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

FENIX PASSAGE.

The gallery on the inside of the building block connects to a public passageway on street level, that runs through the heart of the original warehouse, connecting the city side with the quay.

The different time-layers and dynamics of Fenix become visible and tangible through the many sightlines that bring the various functions together.

Unique construction The technical challenge of Fenix I is most evident in its construction. The technical challenge of Fenix I is most evident in its construction.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

By placing an immense one-kiloton steel table construction through the existing warehouse and giving it a separate foundation, the monumental warehouse could be largely preserved. The new building on top is technically kept separate from the warehouse.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

SUSTAINABILITY.

Sustainability is an integral part of Fenix I, starting with maximum reuse of the existing building. Fenix I has been optimized in terms of circularity and biodiversity by means of a future-proof adaptable building structure, roof gardens, vertical green courtyard facades, , rainwater harvesting, high-performance solar control glazing, and high-efficient heat recovery and heat and cold storage.

Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
© Marc Goodwin

COMMUNITY.

The distinctive architecture, as well as the exceptional residential product offered by Fenix I, attracts residents and users with a similar mindset. Shortly after completion, Fenix I shows to contribute to social interaction and solidarity of the neighbourhood and to be the home to an inclusive and caring community.


Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Elevation
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Elevations
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Details
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
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Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Site plan
Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Axo

Mei Architects And Planners
T +31 10 4252222
Mei Architects And Planners
Schiehavenkade 150, 3024 EZ Rotterdam, Netherlands