OMA’s mixed-use timmerhuis opens in rotterdam

OMA’s mixed-use timmerhuis opens in rotterdam
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

rotterdam’s ‘timmerhuis’ — the new home for the city’s municipal offices — has officially opened to the public. conceived by OMA, the scheme accommodates a range of retail, cultural, work and residential spaces, with the design led by partner reinier de graaf alongside associates katrien van dijk and alex de jong.

‘we are very proud of timmerhuis,’ states de graaf. ‘rather than adding to rotterdam’s crowded history of revisionist planning and cacophony of architectural styles, the typical mass of timmerhuis negotiates between the architectures of the buildings surrounding it.’

the building’s repeated units gradually step back from the street
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

the building’s repeated units gradually step back from the street as they rise into two irregular peaks, creating a complex geometric form. meanwhile, an innovative structural system generates maximum efficiency and versatility both in terms of construction and in program. units can be added or even dismounted from the structure as demands on the building change over time, and can adapt to either office space or residential parameters as desired. additionally, green terraces on higher levels provide the possibility of an apartment with a garden in the heart of urban rotterdam.

the scheme accommodates a range of retail, cultural, work and residential spaces
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

‘the axis between the existing town hall and the post office coincides with the axis of symmetry of the timmerhuis, and the street between these two buildings continues into a passageway to the haagseveer,’ explains OMA. ‘the timmerhuis integrates with the neighboring stadtimmerhuis by maintaining the same floor heights, while the plinth height of 20 meters conforms to the character of the surrounding laurenskwartier.’

two irregular peaks create a complex geometric form
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

as the design brief stipulated that the timmerhuis must be the most sustainable building in the netherlands, OMA designed two large atria that act as lungs. these atria are connected to a climate system, while the building’s glazed façade uses hi-tech translucent insulation that allows for unprecedented levels of energy efficiency.

the exterior façade of the old building is used as an interior wall
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

the city of rotterdam is the building’s only office tenant
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

fifty percent of timmerhuis is occupied by office space
image by sebastian van damme / courtesy of OMA

a secluded area for group discussion and meetings
image by sebastian van damme / courtesy of OMA

units can be added to the structure as demands on the building change over time
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

terraces provide the possibility of an apartment with a garden in the heart of urban rotterdam
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

living space overlooking the city’s developing skyline
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

the design brief stipulated that the timmerhuis must be the most sustainable building in the netherlands
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

the scheme officially opened to the public in december 2015
image by ossip van duivenbode / courtesy of OMA

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project info:

project: timmerhuis, rotterdam
status: completed
year: 2009-2015
location: rotterdam, netherlands
client: stadsontwikkeling rotterdam
budget: approx. €100 million
site: 0.5 hectares – including the old stadstimmerhuis; opposite of rotterdam city hall
program: office (25,400 sqm; both existing and new part of the building), residential (12,000 sqm; 84 apartments), exhibition space (1,630 sqm), retail (2,070 sqm), underground parking (3 900 sqm; 120 places)
building height: 60m; 14 storeys in the north tower and 11 storeys in the south tower
dimensions of ‘pixel’: 7.2m x 7.2m x 3.6m (w x b x h)
construction: steel frame; 3 850 tonnes of construction steel; 14,000 sqm of glass; cantilevers up to 21m
BREEAM: excellent sustainability certification
partner in charge: reinier de graaf
associate in charge: alex de jong, katrien van dijk