Ideals in Stone

In the video series 'Ideals in Stone', OPEN Rotterdam showcases the driving forces behind Rotterdam's construction throughout the centuries. Who shapes the city? With what ideals? What are the parallels between past and present?

The second episode examines the origins of high-rise residential construction in Rotterdam. It explores what we can learn from pioneer Willem van Tijen, who designed the first residential high-rises in the Netherlands. His vision is compared with the contemporary approach to high-rise residential development.
To map out current high-rise residential construction, various developers and architects of recent projects such as Fenix I, de Groene Kaap, de Zalmhaventoren, and SAWA are interviewed.

According to Robert Winkel, it is crucial that you do not leave change to the market, but do it yourself. To realize SAWA, he therefore Nice Developers alongside his architectural firm Mei architects and planners, together with his partner Mark Compeer.

We believe it is very important to show the upcoming generation that these types of buildings can be realized. (…) If you truly want to achieve that improvement in living and the surrounding environment, then you have to do it yourself.

Watch the full episode at OPEN Rotterdam: openrotterdam.nl/het-ontstaan-van-de-hoge-woningbouw-in-rotterdam-in-een-nieuwe-idealen-in-steen