Witte Keizer

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The Witte Keizer is a high-rise residential building in the centre of Rotterdam that contains both apartments and commercial space. It is situated amidst existing low-rise buildings and future high-rise development. Its prominent positioning of office space and ground-floor public spaces allows it to function as a catalyst for its surroundings.

The Witte Keizer is located on a triangular site at a bend in the River Rotte. It forms a transition between the high-rise zones along the Coolsingel and the Blaak. A high-rise building at this location also needs to respond to the existing low-rise structures. The variations in height found in the surroundings are incorporated in the organization of the building. A distinction has been made between commercial activity, which is situated in the base, and the residential part of the building, set above it. This division is expressed on the exterior of the building as a slightly recessed vertical strip of glazing.

As part of an overall urban scheme for the area, the Witte Keizer will function as a catalyst for the surrounding public space. It is situated at the corner of two streets, the Vissersdijk and the Keijzerstraat, which do not yet have the metropolitan character appropriate to their location. They will become an extension of the shopping streets Hoogstraat and Korte Hoogstraat, and also form a connection between the city centre and two harbours, the Glashaven and the Leuvehaven.

With its transparent façades and extensive commercial activity, the ground floor of the building will become a central element in the surrounding public space. The mix of commercial and residential space will ensure it is bustling with activity at most hours of the day, emphasizing its metropolitan character. This reintegration of residential and commercial programmes was part of the design brief for the building, in order to revitalize this area of Rotterdam. This area's circulation scheme means that the building occupies a central position, and public functions anchor the tower in the pedestrian route from the Hoogstraat to the Blaak. The choice of a fully automated parking garage was practical in the interest of saving space on this small site. This offers an element of interest besides the ground-floor public space, since the drop-off and retrieval machinery for the car park is situated behind a fully glazed façade.

The concept for the building's exterior revolves around a layer of sculptural stone that frames a glazed incision in the building. The form of the building is perceived as a slender tower from various perspectives. It appears to be three towers that are connected at a number of points in order to emphasize their sculptural qualities. This creates extra corner angles that provide the apartments with panoramic views. The 'stone' layer of the facades is made of prefabricated concrete embellished with a sculptural pattern, a contemporary form of mass-produced ornamentation.

2 years ago

Leo added company Dura Vermeer
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Leo added company KCAP architects and planners
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