MVRDV's giant scaffold staircase in rotterdam opens to the public

the dutch city of rotterdam has erected a giant staircase leading from stationsplein, outside the entrance of the central station, to the top of the groot handelsgebouw — an important building in the city’s history. designed by MVRDV, the scaffold structure pays homage to rotterdam’s rebuilding efforts in the wake of the second world war. the stairs will remain open to the public until june 12, 2016, with free admission between 10am and 10pm each day. ‘with this installation and in our exhibition we show what this city could look like if we do that in many places, engaging a series of our existing buildings and giving access to their roofs, to create a new, much more interactive, three dimensional and denser urban topography for the next city generation,’ explains winy maas, co-founder of MVRDV.

the staircase leads from the central station’s plaza to the top of the groot handelsgebouw
all images by ossip van duivenbode

comprising 180 stairs, the installation offers a progression of perspectives over the city as one ascends 29 meters to the roof of the adjacent building. once at the top, a temporary observation deck overlooks the entire city. in addition, a rooftop cinema — open especially for the event — offers a wide variety of films, debates and performances. visitors are also able to enjoy refreshments and find out more about rotterdam and its ongoing development.

comprising 180 stairs, the installation offers a progression of perspectives

the scaffolding responds to the angles of the rotterdam central station — designed by benthem crouwel, MVSA architects and west 8 — connecting the contemporary build with a historic monument. for the construction of the project MVRDV worked closely with dutch steigers and adviesbureau dekker engineering. coordination of events for the installation itself was done in partnership with rotterdam celebrates the city, a city-wide cultural event.

the scaffold structure pays homage to rotterdam’s rebuilding efforts in the wake of the second world war

once at the top, a temporary observation deck overlooks the entire city

visitors are able to enjoy refreshments and find out more about rotterdam and its ongoing development

the stairs will remain open to the public until june 12, 2016