West8 urban design & landscape architecture b.v.

Schouwburgplein Rotterdam

Design of a public square

Schouwburgplein Rotterdam

Schouwburgplein Rotterdam

netzspannung.org

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Abstract

The Schouwburgplein (12.250 square metres) is situated in the heart of the city of Rotterdam and is surrounded by shops and flanked by the City Theatre and the City Concert Hall. The design emphasizes the importance of a void, which opens a panorama towards the city skyline.
The square is designed as an interactive public space, flexible in use, and changing during day and seasons. Its appearance is a reflection of the Port of Rotterdam. All of the necessary ingredients were present; it only had to be brought to life. By raising the surface of the square above the surrounding area, the void was retained and the "city’s stage" created.
One of the major features of the square are the four hydraulic lighting elements that can be interactively altered by the inhabitants of the city.

Artists / Authors

Cooperators

Origination

Netherlands, 1991-1996

Partners / Sponsors

City of Rotterdam; Duyvis Machinefabriek
(Koog aan de Zaan)

URL

» http://www.west8.nl

Comment

The West8-design of the urban square Schouwburgplein was assigned by the City of Rotterdam.

Submission

, Feb 16, 2004

Category

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