MVRDV designs a temporary pink roof for het nieuwe instituut in rotterdam

MVRDV’s pink podium

a bright pink platform designed by MVRDV is to be installed on the roof of het nieuwe instituut in rotterdam this summer. named ‘the podium’, the outdoor space will open on june 1st for rotterdam architecture month and will continue hosting events until august 17th, 2022.

the podium is a temporary intervention and will be made on a structure of scaffolding with floor finishes that can be later recycled. accessed via a 143-step staircase, the new pink rooftop will stand at a height of 29 meters, offering visitors panoramic views of the city and of the neighboring MVRDV-designed depot boijmans van beuningen.

images © MVRDV

making better use of rotterdam’s rooftops

the new 600 sqm platform sits atop the distinctive pergola of the existing het nieuwe instituut building, which was designed by architect jo coenen. enabling the use of a rooftop that has never before been accessible to the public, the podium offers a unique opportunity to experience architecture, the city, the museumpark and het nieuwe instituut from a completely new perspective.

as well as the external staircase, the podium can also be accessed by a temporary elevator or via the living archive of a studio—a collaborative exhibition curated by MVRDV and HNI that shows MVRDV’s early works—, which is currently on display on the top floor. the podium represents the ambition of het nieuwe instituut to increase public knowledge about architecture. it also embodies MVRDV’s commitment to making better use of rotterdam’s rooftops, an approach to densifying the city that will help prevent urban sprawl while creating opportunities to add greenery, water management, and much-needed building functions.

with its distinctive pergola, the design of het nieuwe instituut by jo coenen inspired the team to create a platform 29 metres high

the first user of the podium will be rotterdam architecture month, during which the podium will be the heart of the festival, hosting lectures, tours, films, and other activities focused on architecture. in july and august, the podium will also be open for other activities, from sports classes and rooftop dinners to a program specifically designed for children.

the podium at het nieuwe instituut is made possible in part by dura vermeer, dutch steigers, fonds 21, the city of rotterdam, MVRDV, rotterdam architecture month, rotterdam festivals, rotterdam partners, stichting job dura fonds, stichting verzameling van wijngaarden-boot, stichting volkskracht, and the vriendenloterij.

the podium offers a view of the city, of the museumpark, and of the neighboring MVRDV-designed depot boijmans van beuningen