Noordsingel

The Noordsingel is a historic part of Rotterdam. Originally designed as the green lungs of the Oude Noorden district, the canal runs through the district like a green city park. The Noordsingel is a protected cityscape, which imposes very strict requirements on the design. The design is therefore rooted in its historical context. The new housing complex comprises 57 rental units (44 mid-priced rental units and 13 mid-priced rental apartments), 17 parking spaces, and a large number of bicycle parking spaces on the adjacent grounds. The complex consists of a brick substructure of four, and partly five, stories connecting to the Rotterdam layer, and a superstructure of clear aluminum and glass.

The Rotterdam Layer

Rotterdam's city center has a distinctive architectural context stemming from its urban development history, also known as the Rotterdam Layer. The height of the Rotterdam Layer varies across the city, and the new construction will be part of the urban fabric specifically connected to this layer. Both the Rotterdam Layer and the plinth design shape and activate the urban space. The ground floor is essential to the Rotterdam Layer. Programming contributes to the dynamism and continuity of the streetscape. Homes with direct street access are therefore a key principle in the new development. The complex offers a wide range of housing types, suitable for first-time buyers through to families. The ground floor features two-story townhouses with direct street access. Above these, apartments are located, accessed via a corridor. The top floor consists of beautiful penthouses with expansive city views and spacious roof terraces.

Protected Cityscape

The building's zoning plan places it within a protected cityscape. This places very strict requirements on the design. The Rotterdam layer principle stipulates that these requirements apply particularly to the substructure. The block is designed with a freestanding and independently recognizable main form. The facade design is structured according to a three-part structure: basement, middle section, and facade termination. These divisions are characterized by an interweaving of vertical and horizontal elements, such as windows, refined brickwork, and a crown. The street corner and loggias are architecturally distinctive by being rounded. The loggias are designed to be part of the architectural language, yet remain subordinate to the main mass. The substructure is made of architectural concrete and brick. The addition of various natural stone aggregates gives the concrete its dark hue. The surface is acidified, creating a fine, sandy texture. The brick used, called waterstruck, is color-coordinated with the surroundings and gives the whole a smoother finish. The volume of the complex is incised and finished in such a way that it does not appear overly dominant. Furthermore, the recessed volume creates attractive terraces, benefiting the penthouses. The three-story structure has a contemporary look and consists of large glass facades and clear aluminum façades. These facades and façades create a beautiful interplay of light, giving the structure a lighter appearance. The emphasis on the outdoor spaces also provides high-quality penthouses. The abstract appearance of the aluminum facades, in contrast to the more classic plinth, visually reduces the volume and better integrates with the surroundings and the characteristics of the protected cityscape.

Attention to the exterior also goes into the interior.

Besides the attention paid to the exterior, the interior was also carefully considered. The Noordsingel, a chic and green city park, served as inspiration. The interior design is characterized by the use of high-quality natural materials, with diverse textures and a matching color palette.