Rotterdam Program
Attendees who wish to carry on after the core program in Amsterdam can continue the conversation in Rotterdam on Thursday, 5 June. An easy train ride from Amsterdam, this program is a great way to explore more of what The Netherlands has to offer. Programming will conclude by 3:30PM to allow for evening return travel.
Program
Meet us at MVRDV House where we’ll host a morning presentation session which will open with a welcome keynote presentation by Nathalie de Vries, Founding Partner of MVRDV. Following lunch, attendees will chose an afternoon tour, details to be confirmed soon.
View the full day’s program and speaker list here.
MVRDV House, the host venue for the morning program in Rotterdam ©MVRDV
Registration
The Rotterdam program can be added to the Amsterdam core conference package during the “Agenda” step of the check out process. Due to limited capacity, it is not possible to register only for the Rotterdam program. To see registration rates and register, visit the registration page here.
Travel/Hotel
Attendees are responsible for their own transportation between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. See here for train information. Given the morning start time, we recommend traveling on the evening of 4 June and spending the night in Rotterdam. See our recommended hotels here.
Afternoon Tour Options
Rotterdam City Walking Tour
Image Credits: UnSplash
Join Emiel Arends, Senior Advisor on Urban Affairs for the City of Rotterdam on a walk around the city to learn insights on the city development and see architectural highlights along the way. Departing from MVRDV office, attendees will walk along the Markthal to Wijnhaveneiland, home to several significant skyscrapers such as the Red Apple, CasaNova, and Muse. From there proceed to the Cool District, a bustling neighborhood and then on to take in the views from the riverfront.
Time: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
Presenters/Tour Leads: Emiel Arends, Senior Advisor on Urban Affairs, City of Rotterdam
Getting Here: Attendees will travel together after lunch, starting at MVRDV House. Attendees will be responsible for their own transport at the conclusion of the tour. The tour is planned to end near the Leuvehaven metro station.
De Zalmhaven Building Tour
Image Credits: Sebastian van Damme
The Zalmhaven is one of the most recent additions to the Rotterdam skyline and the tallest residential tower in the Benelux at 215 meters. Attendees will start with a water taxi ride to the building, taking in the amazing skyline views. For this ambitious project, much attention has been paid to the relationship with the environment and the liveliness at ground level. Although classic in its formal language, advanced technologies were consulted to build the Zalmhaven. From the fourth floor up, the tower is completely prefabricated, significantly speeding up the construction time. Not only will this tour bring you to the top to view Rotterdam from above, the hosts will also take you through the central hall and several technical spaces to tell the full story of the design and construction of this building.
Time: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
Presenters/Tour Leads: Diederik Dam, Architectural and Urban Designer, Dam & Partners Architecten; Haakon Brouwer, Architect, Dam & Partners Architecten
Getting Here: Attendees will travel together after lunch via Water Taxi (ticket included) enjoying spectacular skyline views from the water in route to the building. Attendees will be responsible for their own transport at the conclusion of the tour.
SAWA Timber Building Tour
Image Credits: © Mei Architects and Planners (left), © Ossip van Duivenbode (right)
SAWA, a 50-meter residential building, is constructed entirely of CLT (cross laminated timber), whereby the use of concrete is kept to a minimum. This makes SAWA the first fully tall wooden residential building in Rotterdam. The building is distinctive in its appearance due to the generous green terraces, which refer to the history of the location and at the same time reinforce the biodiversity in the neighborhood. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the building as it nears completion. The design of SAWA was driven by the ambition to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and achieving (inter)national climate goals, enhancing biodiversity of the neighborhood, and creating a circular building with affordable housing for an inclusive community.
Time: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
Presenters/Tour Leads: Robert Winkel, Founder, Mei Architects and Planners, lead architect of SAWA.
Getting Here: Attendees will travel together after lunch via public transit, starting at MVRDV House. Attendees will be responsible for their own transport at the conclusion of the tour.