Rotterdam To Build EUR 240 Million Rotterdam Rocks, A New Landmark Focused On Sustainability

Rotterdam is set to get a striking new landmark along the banks of the River Maas. Dutch architecture studio MVRDV has won an international competition to design Rotterdam Rocks, a EUR 240 million project that aims to become a new symbol of sustainability and climate awareness.

Spread across 30,000 square metres, the building will form part of Rotterdam's upcoming Waterkant district, a new sustainable neighbourhood planned on the city's south bank. The project is expected to combine architecture, nature and public spaces while encouraging visitors to think about climate change and the future of the planet.

Designed To Look Like Stacked Boulders

Rotterdam Rocks will be made up of seven gigantic boulders stacked on top of one another, giving the building its distinctive appearance. The design was selected through an international competition launched by Dutch social enterprise Shift, which plans to use the building as its embassy.

The competition brief asked architects to create a landmark that could be seen as a "new wonder of the world" while inspiring people to care about the climate crisis. The building is being developed as the centrepiece of the Waterkant district, which will eventually include around 3,500 eco-friendly homes along with schools and cultural spaces.

What Will Be Inside?

The building is planned as a public destination with a mix of cultural, hospitality and community spaces. One of its main attractions will be The Elysium, a 5,000-square-metre immersive exhibition that will showcase art and stories exploring how the future can be shaped.

The seven rock-like structures will also be hollowed out to create a network of exhibition caves. Besides the exhibition spaces, Rotterdam Rocks will include:

• A 200-room hotel

• A food court and restaurant

• A conference and events centre

• Spaces for education and community gatherings

• An observation deck overlooking Rotterdam

Visitors will have three different routes into the building. One entrance will lead to the hospitality spaces, another to the exhibition, while a third route will take visitors along a walkway that twists around the outside of the building before reaching a rooftop viewing terrace.

A Building Designed For Nature

One of the most distinctive features of Rotterdam Rocks will be its exterior. The façade will be covered with specially designed pockets that can hold soil, water and plants, creating space for local wildlife as well. The aim is to allow nature to grow directly on the building, turning it into a living vertical landscape.

According to MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas, the project was inspired by the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while creating spaces that benefit not only people but also trees, plants, water, air, and animals. He also said the design aims to balance new construction with new landscapes so that the ecological impact of building can be offset.

A Landmark With A Climate Message

Shift says the building is intended to be more than just an architectural attraction. The organisation wants it to serve as an immersive experience where visitors can explore some of the biggest questions surrounding climate change and imagine a more sustainable future.

Shift founder Don Ritzen said climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time and deserves a destination that reflects its scale. He added that the building is designed to encourage visitors to think about where humanity is heading and what role individuals can play in shaping the future. Ritzen also said the goal is to show that everyone can live a more sustainable life by making small, everyday changes.

Rotterdam's alderwoman for Building and Community, Chantal Zeegers, said the project aligns with the city's efforts to create a greener and more climate-resilient future. She added that the landmark's architecture and programme will encourage both residents and visitors to take action for a more sustainable world.

(With inputs from various sources)

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