The Codrico Terrain

Working closely with the municipality of Rotterdam and an exciting group of architects – Mecanoo, SHoP Architects, Office Winhov and Crimson Architectural Historians – we created a unique masterplan, an ensemble of old and new.

We wanted to breathe life back into the harbor by activating the waterfront with new public space and extraordinary architecture. Now, Rotterdammers will be able to stroll along the entire harbor basin, completing the loop around the Rijnhaven.

The Codrico Terrain will be an iconic ensemble containing a tower, a building on the quay, a striking building on the field next to the factory, and the monumental factory itself. The quays will be activated with floating parks on both the Wilhelminapier side and the Codrico Terrain side.

After careful restoration, the factory building itself will be reborn as the Latenstein, where living, working, leisure, and culture combine to become a vibrant destination. Office Winhov, in collaboration with Crimson Architectural historians, have drawn the plans to revitalise this industrial icon. The factory site will become public space designed by Delva, making this national heritage site accessible for all.

Our Ensemble takes a prominent position on the harbor’s eastern quay. As its name suggests, the Ensemble combines a collection of amenities, workplaces and homes into a variation of forms and volumes that pay homage to the neighboring iconic factory. We studied the horizontal and vertical lines of the listed factory and reflected this in the Ensemble’s façade and continued by adopting a similar color and material palette using high quality materials.

With a nod to the past, the Codrico Tower’s geometry is a reference to the first “Hugh Ferris” generation of skyscrapers, from a time when Katendrecht was the port from which many migrated to America. The 220-meter-high tower, designed by SHoP Architects, forms a key position in the Rijnhaven. Its massing echoes the rounded silos of the former factory building.

The Fonda is a warm and sophisticated icon – just like its namesake, Jane. Named after an icon of their generation, the Fonda will be home to empty nesters drawn to the dynamics of lively city life. We designed fluid, undulating forms to preserve important visual axes. The Fonda’s curves shape its surroundings, creating new in-between spaces to provide an exciting experience of the site.

Designed by the Rotterdam architect, Francine Houben and office Mecanoo, the iconic Maritime Center Rotterdam will be located in the middle of the water of the Rijnhaven. The triple helix of the international maritime world comes together in this building: the past, present and future, creating a meeting place for maritime entrepreneurs, researchers and culture. This building will be open to the public and will be partly under water.