Bringing history to the surface.
Oostplein is a chaotic sea of cars, metro's, trams and bike lanes. All without any point of reference or clear identity. But historically Oostplein was full of landmarks; the Eastgate, windmill de Noord, VOC shipyard and the barracks of the marines. Because of war, fire and bad city planning these icons turned to ruins, which were used as landfill in different locations throughout Rotterdam. The story of Oostplein and its identity…
Bringing history to the surface.
Oostplein is a chaotic sea of cars, metro's, trams and bike lanes. All without any point of reference or clear identity. But historically Oostplein was full of landmarks; the Eastgate, windmill de Noord, VOC shipyard and the barracks of the marines. Because of war, fire and bad city planning these icons turned to ruins, which were used as landfill in different locations throughout Rotterdam. The story of Oostplein and its identity were buried.
This landmark is about bringing history to the surface, literally. By digging up the old rubble and using it in the concrete mixture of the landmark.
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The landmark will be placed in a small park with an exit to Metro Oostplein and surrounded by three busy intersections. In this concrete dessert the landmark will form an oasis. The shape is perfectly round and smooth on the outside, interrupted by cracks and pieces of debris. The city nomad will enter through a crack in the outside wall, slowly descending 2 meters down in the ground. It opens up to a thin layer of water surrounded by piles of rubble that go up the walls of the building. Enclosed by the trees that surround it. The porous interior can erode over time being not only a retreat for human visitors but also a habitat for plants, birds and other animals.
This will be a place of contemplation were contrasts meet. A new building made from parts of history. A sanctuary in the middle of the busiest part of the city.
a permanent ruin.