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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Kraton 230 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands by Mei architects and plannersFebruary 16th, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Mei architects and planners The new headquarters of regional radio and television station RTV Rijnmond is phase 4a in the redevelopment of the Schiecentrale on Lloydstraat in Rotterdam. The building, which houses not only RTV Rijnmond but also other firms, forms the heart of the audio-visual sector in Rotterdam along with Schiecentrale, the 25kV building, STROOM hotel and restaurant, and the new building of phase 4b.  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners
 Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners The sturdy character of the RTV Rijnmond building by Mei Architects en stedenbouwers, both in scale and appearance, is a direct reference to the large size of the Schiecentrale, a former electricity generating station, and to the imposing ships that used to dock on the quay nearby. The façade of the building is made of rusty brown cast-iron panels that are decorated with maritime and audio-visual motifs designed by Studio Job. The window openings in this cast-iron section extend over two levels. The ground-floor façade facing Lloydstraat is a transparent wall of glass below two cantilevered levels faced with steel panels. That gives this section of the building the character of a large awning that directs attention to the entrance and studios of RTV Rijnmond.  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners Factory floor The entrance leads to a large hall containing studio spaces where regional radio and TV programmes are produced. Grouped around these studios are all the supporting spaces such as canteen, editorial spaces and server room. The studios hanging in the space and the big void give the setting the character of an industrial factory floor where news rather than harbour products are processed.  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners The two floors clad in metal panels are supported by two striking V-stanchions whose tapering legs come together on the studio square. Spanning on top of the stanchions are two large lattice girders 45 metres in length. The whole setting has the character of a container crane placed indoors. Other structural elements also recall the industrial port activities of days gone by. The structure is made of steel H profiles. The exposed sturdy bolt connections combine with the rusty façade to give the building a subtly well-used appearance.  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners Projection screen The structure of the building and the square are clearly visible from the street through the glazed façade. The images of current news on the big projection screens on the square are the first things that grab attention. The circle of news processing is thus complete: news comes from the street, is then processed in the building and is then visible again from the street. The building has a total floor area of 10,000 metres.  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners  Image Courtesy © Mei architects and planners
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Tags: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Categories: Building, Headquarters, Hotel, Mixed use, Office Building, Offices, Restaurant |
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