Lifeguard Nesselande in Rotterdam, Netherlands by UArchitects

Article source: UArchitects

“How does a building looks like which is not used for half a year during the winter? “
During the winter it is closed, but when the sun arrives the building transforms. The arrival of the spring is visible in the building: screens move up, doors slide open and the flags wave into the air. The building reacts on the summer sun.

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

• Architects: UArchitects
• Project: Lifeguard Nesselande
• Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Client: Municipality of Rotterdam
• Completed: 2014
• Construction Company: Bouwbedrijf Willemsz
• Open competition: (Open Oproep 2-120)

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Context
The office for the lifeguard is positioned on the border between land and water.

The lifeguard office is located on the beach between the living quarter Nesselande and the lake. The level of the building is slightly below the boulevard, the connection between wood and concrete is thus exactly at the eye level of passersby on the seaside promenade.

The construction of the ground floor is prefabricated light yellow-grey concrete, which relates with the colors of the beach. The wooden louvres on the first floor are related to the concrete.

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Functions
The need for an functional building is important for every client, but is even more important within this lifeguard project: every second counts in case of emergency.

A streamlined staircase creates a quick connection between the viewing terrace and the beach.
The first level, for lifeguards and police, is open plan and glazed on all facades.
The ground floor provides first aid, rescue boats and public toilets.

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Texture

The texture of the concrete is exactly the opposite from the texture of the wood. Like they are fitting together. But as time passes by the wood will also become more grey and the color of the building will fit with the colors of the beach.

The upper floor can be opened widely, therefore, cooling is solved by the blowing breeze passing through the building. Wooden louvers and the ventilated roof prevents the office from warming up.

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Image Courtesy © UArchitects

Tags: Netherlands, Rotterdam

Categories: Building, Offices

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at 8:40 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.