De Dukdalf

The tower comprises 96 rental apartments across different segments - 40 mid-market, 8 private sector, and 48 social housing - responding to the demand for suitable homes for a diverse range of residents, including first-time buyers, families, and seniors. The robust brick design features an elegant stepped composition, with a shared courtyard garden on the second floor forming its green heart. The name “Dukdalf” refers to the heavy posts or mooring structures in waterways to which ships are tied - an apt reference to a solid, recognizable building in bustling Rotterdam.

Architecture and neighbourhood interaction

The building stands out through its prominent tower, stepped façades, high-quality brickwork, and a transparent main entrance that is clearly visible from the street. At the core of the tower lies the stairwell with lifts, from which the upper-level apartments are clearly and efficiently accessed. The floors are connected by spacious halls and galleries, generously designed to accommodate mobility aids, strollers, and daily groceries. The plinth plays a key role in its relationship with the neighbourhood. Ground-level homes with individual front doors opening onto the street create an active façade and strengthen the sense of community, while the hospitality space provides a place for meeting and contributes to social cohesion. Climbing plants along the brick façades introduce a softer, more human scale to the streetscape and, together with the courtyard garden, establish a collective green space at the heart of the block.

Accessible and social living

The building has been designed with seniors in mind: the homes are easily accessible, and the shared meeting space on the ground floor - combined with the hospitality function - is within easy reach for all residents. The communal courtyard garden on the second floor also offers an inviting, low-threshold place for gathering and relaxation. This supports independent living for longer and helps prevent social isolation. At the same time, the senior housing contributes to long-term housing mobility, freeing up larger homes for families and first-time residents. From the entrance, residents have direct access to a comfortable, electronically secured bicycle storage area. Cars can be parked within the building on the ground and first floors, accessible via a ramp. This makes the building accessible and comfortable for residents of all ages and mobility levels.

Multifunctional façades and roofs

De Dukdalf responds to the climate challenges of Feijenoord, where heavy rainfall and flooding are a known issue. Smart solutions are therefore applied at multiple levels: the second floor features a “polder roof” with a roof garden, the eighth floor combines a polder roof with solar panels, and the remaining roofs are designed as moss-sedum roofs. Together with the green façades, these measures improve the microclimate, increase water retention, and create space for flora and fauna. A smart water retention system captures rainwater and releases it in a controlled manner, partly for irrigating the lower roof garden. Combined with a connection to district heating, triple glazing, and solar panels, this results in an energy-efficient residential building prepared for future climate conditions.