Rotterdam - Architecture

LEGO Rotterdam Architecture

Architectural speaking Rotterdam has a long history with bold architecture.
Being one of the largest harbors in the world, the dynamics of the harbor means building spurs 
every few decades. Also existing buildings are being re-purposed or renewed during the years. 
These circumstances led to an exiting skyline that represents years of Architecture.

Het Witte Huis

The Witte Huis or "White House" is a 1898 building, constructed in the Art Nouveau style. 
The building is 43 m (141 ft) tall and has 11 floors. Upon completion it was the first 
sky scraper in The Netherlands and the second in Europe. Before construction could start 
1000 piles were driven into the ground to support the building's weight. Currently the 
building is a national monument and an historic landmark in Rotterdam.

Architect: Willem Molenbroek
Year completed: 1898
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witte_Huis

Euromast
Build for the 1960 Floriade, The Euromast is the highest building in Rotterdam and 
The Netherlands. The concrete tower has a observation platform with a restaurant and 
an hotel. On the Space Tower visitors can take a rotating elevator all the way to the 
top of the tower.

Architect: Maaskant, van Dommelen, Kroos en Senf
Year completed: 1960
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromast

Kubushuizen
Ultimate urban architecture can be found in the Cube houses. The houses where created 
to use of tight urban spaces to create the maximum amount of living space possible. 
By rotating a Box architect Piet Blom created cube shaped houses that fit together tight 
and have a maximum available living space. Even after the are build 38 years ago the 
houses are still a unique sight.

Architect: Piet Blom
Year completed: 1977
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_house

Erasmusbrug
The river Maas runs through Rotterdam to the North Sea. Undoubted the river was crucial 
to the succes of Rotterdam as one of the worlds largest harbors. Having a river running 
through a city also means you have to be able to cross them. Naturally Rotterdam has 
several bridges and a tunnel connecting both sides of the city. Although Rotterdam has 
some eye catching bridges, Since its opening in 1996 the Erasmus bridge became the defining 
image on the Rotterdam skyline.

Architect: Ben van Berkel
Year completed: 1996
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmusbrug

De Rotterdam
The newest Architectural marvel of Rotterdam is named after the city, The Rotterdam is 
designed by architect Rem Koolhaas and was said to be his gift to the city of Rotterdam. 
The iconic building has been right at home in Rotterdam and added a new flair to the skyline. 
Designed as a city in a city the building houses offices, apartments and a hotel it is 
currently the largest building in the Netherlands.

Architect: Rem Koolhaas (Office for Metropolitan Architecture)
Year completed: 2013
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Rotterdam

De Markthal
Situated next to the large market-square in the center of Rotterdam the Markthal created 
an unique structure calling back to the time supermarkets did not exist and people bought 
their grosseries from individual sellers. The market hall has apartments and offices in 
the building and an market hall underneath. This unique structure really propagates the 
Architectural status of Rotterdam.

Architect: MVRDV
Year completed: 2014
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_Hall_(Rotterdam)