The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The atmosphere in the port is defined by the ships, the docks, the cranes, and the warehouses, along with all the logistical processes. The unique aesthetics of the port have a strong appeal to people. To meet this interest, the Port Authority announced a design competition for a new Port Experience Center (HEC).
Studio Marco Vermeulen designed a spherical HEC in striking colors that reference the port. Unique to the building is the central atrium, from which all other functions can be accessed.
Studio Marco Vermeulen designed a spherical HEC in striking colors that reference the port. Unique to the building is the central atrium, from which all other functions can be accessed.
2020
tender
programme
exposition, restaurant, conference
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Location
The location of the Port Experience Center (HEC) is at the westernmost point of Maasvlakte 2, a site that offers views of the sea on one side and spectacular vistas of the port on the other. The route to this location winds through the impressive port landscape of Rotterdam, making the journey part of the experience at the HEC.
The HEC will be centrally located within the dune landscape and, due to its height, will provide views over the dunes. On the north side, there will be a parking area for visitors, and on the south side, a pick-up area for excursion buses, with a potential walking connection to the Ameliahaven. Cars and buses will have separate entrances to avoid congestion, and as much as possible, permeable materials will be used.
The event plaza, visible to passersby, is situated near the road and borders the terrace of bistro 'Antarctica' located at the base of the building. Passersby who are not interested in the HEC are also welcome here. The dunes provide shelter, allowing visitors to avoid the wind and extend their stay.
The HEC will be centrally located within the dune landscape and, due to its height, will provide views over the dunes. On the north side, there will be a parking area for visitors, and on the south side, a pick-up area for excursion buses, with a potential walking connection to the Ameliahaven. Cars and buses will have separate entrances to avoid congestion, and as much as possible, permeable materials will be used.
The event plaza, visible to passersby, is situated near the road and borders the terrace of bistro 'Antarctica' located at the base of the building. Passersby who are not interested in the HEC are also welcome here. The dunes provide shelter, allowing visitors to avoid the wind and extend their stay.
Nautical beacon
The nautical world is home to many functional beacons with striking architecture, such as cranes, containers, and buoys. These objects are highly visible due to their color, height, and lighting, often marking special locations. This elevates them beyond mere functional objects; lighthouses, for example, are not just navigational aids but often serve as tourist attractions as well.
Globe
We want to create a modern beacon that references these nautical objects. Multi-faceted orientation is essential, which is why we choose a spherical shape (globe). This form is poetic, iconic, and symbolizes the global network of which the Port of Rotterdam is a part. The globe shape is also practical, as it is commonly used in the port for storage because it offers maximum volume with a limited facade area.
A freestanding spherical building at this location captures the imagination and attracts passersby. It marks the visitor center and serves as an icon for the port. Due to its height and red signal colors, the building is visible from a distance. From the sea, it stands out on the horizon, and from within the port, the colors guide visitors.
A freestanding spherical building at this location captures the imagination and attracts passersby. It marks the visitor center and serves as an icon for the port. Due to its height and red signal colors, the building is visible from a distance. From the sea, it stands out on the horizon, and from within the port, the colors guide visitors.
The Port of Rotterdam: a giant logistics hub between the world's oceans and major rivers of Europe.
Architectural logic
The HEC is not only a beacon but also a functional building with architectural logic. Inspired by the logistical processes of nearby container terminals, the building can be quickly and cost-effectively constructed using modular elements. These modules, which may include interior and exhibition components, can be manufactured off-site, providing flexibility for future adaptations or reuse.
From a distance, the spherical shape dominates the landscape, while up close, the red and white modular elements become visible, reminiscent of port beacons. The angular forms of the building harmonize with the surroundings and create beautiful terraces that offer views from the upper levels.
From a distance, the spherical shape dominates the landscape, while up close, the red and white modular elements become visible, reminiscent of port beacons. The angular forms of the building harmonize with the surroundings and create beautiful terraces that offer views from the upper levels.
Experience
Those traveling to the Port Experience Center (HEC) can see the building rising in the harbor world from afar, thanks to its distinctive shape and colors. It is visible from highways and bike paths, both during the day and at night.
Visitors enter the building on the ground floor and access the reception area on the first floor via a wide staircase. Here, visitors are welcomed and informed, and they can purchase tickets for the exhibitions and excursions. There is also a shop, offices, restrooms, and a cloakroom located on this floor.
Visitors enter the building on the ground floor and access the reception area on the first floor via a wide staircase. Here, visitors are welcomed and informed, and they can purchase tickets for the exhibitions and excursions. There is also a shop, offices, restrooms, and a cloakroom located on this floor.
Anyone on their way to the HEC will see the building looming up from a distance thanks to its striking shape and colors.
Atrium
Visitors are then guided to the upper exhibitions via the atrium. This beating heart of the building showcases large objects and contains stairs and elevators that provide theatrical access to the upper floors. The exhibition spaces surrounding the atrium offer diverse sightlines between floors and objects. The sculpturally designed atrium features floors at different heights, creating both intimate and double-height spaces, resulting in a dynamic experience.
Through the stairs in the atrium, which offer views of the displayed objects, visitors move upward to the "future zone" on the upper level of the exhibition area.
The atrium also plays a physical role: warm, CO2-polluted air rises and is extracted from the top of the atrium, while clean sea air enters through the facades.
Through the stairs in the atrium, which offer views of the displayed objects, visitors move upward to the "future zone" on the upper level of the exhibition area.
The atrium also plays a physical role: warm, CO2-polluted air rises and is extracted from the top of the atrium, while clean sea air enters through the facades.
Expo, terraces, and outdoor staircase
The exhibition leads into the restaurant, which features views of the dunes and the sea through large windows and outdoor terraces. For a complete harbor experience, visitors can ascend further to the observatory and the panoramic terrace, which offers a 360-degree view of the harbor and the sea, where ships approach or depart from Rotterdam to various parts of the world.
At the top of the Port Experience Center (HEC), there are meeting rooms, a restaurant, and an observatory, all providing views over the harbor and the sea, along with terraces.
From the viewpoint and the restaurant, an outdoor staircase winds down, offering constantly changing views of the surroundings. Visitors are guided back to the first floor of the building, where they can visit the shop before exiting or book an excursion.
At the top of the Port Experience Center (HEC), there are meeting rooms, a restaurant, and an observatory, all providing views over the harbor and the sea, along with terraces.
From the viewpoint and the restaurant, an outdoor staircase winds down, offering constantly changing views of the surroundings. Visitors are guided back to the first floor of the building, where they can visit the shop before exiting or book an excursion.
The new Port Experience Center offers space for meeting and the story of the port.
Energy use
The Port Experience Center (HEC) aims for sustainability in energy use. The glass facades are equipped with advanced solar heat-reflective glass, eliminating the need for obstructive shading. The solid parts of the facade will feature colored thin-film solar panels, including red-colored panels.
Heat and cold are exchanged through a low-temperature floor system with the nearby seawater or water from the Amaliahaven.
The wastewater from the building and grounds is treated in a "dune filter." The water is pumped high into the dunes and naturally purified by passing through the sand.
Heat and cold are exchanged through a low-temperature floor system with the nearby seawater or water from the Amaliahaven.
The wastewater from the building and grounds is treated in a "dune filter." The water is pumped high into the dunes and naturally purified by passing through the sand.
Timber construction
The Port Experience Center (HEC) is designed using a disc-column principle. Discs along the outer facade in the lower parts of the building transfer the vertical loads from the cantilevered upper floors to the foundation. The horizontal loads are directed to the floor slabs, which function as tension rings.
The upper floors are supported by floor-to-ceiling beams above the atrium, which also serve as partition walls. Columns that run through the building transfer the vertical loads to the foundation. The higher floors are simply stacked and do not require heavy construction, allowing the facades of the restaurant and the panoramic area to provide ample views of the surroundings.
The upper floors are supported by floor-to-ceiling beams above the atrium, which also serve as partition walls. Columns that run through the building transfer the vertical loads to the foundation. The higher floors are simply stacked and do not require heavy construction, allowing the facades of the restaurant and the panoramic area to provide ample views of the surroundings.
