For centuries, the city of Rotterdam and its port have grown together in a symbiotic relationship. In the 21st century, the Port is embarking on one of the most significant changes in its history as it transitions to sustainable, low-energy operations. How can this change be experienced by the public, making sense of the complexity of the port? Opening today, the Portlantis by MVRDV is a visitor and exhibition center for the Port of Rotterdam located at the port’s westernmost point.
Comprising a stack of five rotated exhibition spaces, the building stands out from its surroundings with its crimson-red public route from the dunes to its rooftop while offering spectacular views in all directions of the North Sea, the coastline, and the port.
Occupying a prominent location on the beach of the port’s Maasvlakte 2 artificial land extension, Portlantis creates a beacon that is visible from afar. It takes a practical, no-nonsense approach to its educational task, channeling the spirit of the port with its simple functionality, dramatic presence, and industrial materials. The shape of the building is a direct response to the activities taking place inside and out: each floor is square in plan and has a large panorama window that frames a different view of the surroundings.
The orientation of each floor and the direction its main window faces corresponds to its function: on the ground floor café, this window faces westward and provides an intimate view of the dunes, while diners in the fourth-floor restaurant can enjoy views of both sunsets over the North Sea and the illuminated skyline of the port at night.
The permanent exhibition, designed by Kossmanndejong, is spread over the three levels in between as objects in this industrial environment. In the exhibition, each level addresses a different theme, and the panorama windows are focused on elements within the port that enhance the content of the exhibition. At the center of the building is a 22-meter-tall atrium that functions as an exhibition space in its own right.
A kinetic sculpture hangs in its center, with a model of the Port of Rotterdam greeting visitors on the ground floor. This dramatic space is emphasized by the mirrored ceiling, which doubles its apparent height, and by the entrance from the ground floor, in which a rotating door conceals the exhibition until visitors enter the voluminous heart of the building.
On the outside of the building, the different orientations of each level create platforms on each level. These are connected by bright red staircases that twist their way up the stack, highlighting the route to the roof. This route is accessible to the public for free, allowing the building to act as a viewing tower over the port.
“Portlantis is a beacon, it’s eye-catching, but it’s also a kind of watchtower”, says MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. “When you live in Rotterdam, the port sits on the horizon – it’s ‘over there,’ and many people don’t really know what goes on there. Portlantis gives people a way to investigate to see how things are changing in the port, how that relates to the city, and how it affects the life they live in the city. It does this extremely efficiently – like a machine for storytelling.”
The building’s materials are simple and industrial, seeking to be sustainable by following circular economy principles. The structure is demountable so that its parts can easily be reused, and the façade panels will be returned at the end of their lifespan under an agreement made with the manufacturer. Even the building’s foundation, which avoids the use of concrete piles, is designed to leave no trace. In addition to the sustainable materials of Portlantis, it is also better than energy-neutral in operation. Efficient insulation and a heat pump mean that the building’s energy requirements are relatively low. Thanks in large part to a dedicated on-site windmill, the project locally generates 30 percent more energy than it uses.
Following today’s grand opening ceremony, Portlantis will open to the public on March 22nd, 2025.
Portlantis by MVRDV Project Details
Project Name: Portlantis
Location: Rotterdam
Year: 2020-2025
Client: Port of Rotterdam
Size and Programme: 3,533 m2 Experience Centre (Exhibition spaces, Restaurant, Café)
Architect: MVRDV
Founding Partner in charge: Winy Maas
Partner: Fokke Moerel
Design Team: Arjen Ketting, Klaas Hofman, Pim Bangert, Jonathan Schuster, Samuel Delgado, Duong Hong Vu, Monica di Salvo, Efthymia Papadima, Luis Druschke, Maximilian Semmelrock, Antonio Pilz
Sustainability Advisor: Arjen Ketting
Strategy and Development: Magdalena Dzambo
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Exhibition designer: Kossmanndejong
Structural engineer: van Rossum
MEP, Building Physics, & Environmental Advisor: Nelissen
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