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In these times, witnessing our cities reeling under pressures of mixed challenges, lifestyle aspirations, climate efforts and legal calibrations, calls for action. For an act that may remind the city of its right to rest and reflect. The project is an exploration of what a caring city could be. 

The Hartmanstraat in Rotterdam is part of a strong connection between the commercial axes of the Lijnbaan and Oude Binnenweg and the cultural axis of Witte de Withstraat. As you follow this connection, you will encounter one bench in the middle of the hectic axis of Westblaak. While the rest of this connection is highly occupied by bicycle racks and some tables that relate to cafes or restaurants. Therefore, if you need to pause somewhere in this connection, without being a customer, you have only the bench of Westblaak. The intervention will be situated in the 11x11m block between the housing block and the offices block of Westblaak. The intention is to create a half-open public space that at once separates the two neighboring architectural languages and rearrange their structural entanglement. The space is a link between the Westblaak and the courtyard of Schiedamse Westhof, functioning by this as a gatehouse. The space intends to be a privately-owned public space that accommodates different activities by different groups at different times of the year. 

The first step of the removal is a total dismantling of the fourth level and half of the block’s facade. The result is a clear articulation of the outlines that define the sides of both neighbouring blocks. The second step is stripping down the block to its essential structural frame. What remains is a stable concrete frame that defines a total volume of a building and its partial floor plans. 

The first step of the mending process starts by adding a wide staircase that functions as a direct link between the street level and the first-floor level of the backside of the neighbouring blocks. Alongside the stairs a Travertine stone bench is located to activate the passage that links the street with the courtyard. The bench followed by a glass front of an open space for flexible use. The storage space at the backside remains as a storage space where fittings and components of the location can be stored.

The second step is fostering the stability of the concrete frame by framing the cuts of the slaps with L-profile steel beams. The framing also functions as a platform upon which different assemblies can be mounted. Over the year, the diverse temporary assemblies of different activities will result in an ambiguous half-open civic space that reflects an everchanging character. While the only constant in this game is the concrete frame of the existing block.

This intervention can represent a start of a more ambitious project which includes a series of similar removal-mending strategies in different locations in the city. Because of this, a new layer will be added to the city layout. Ultimately, this layer will facilitate the work-life balance and be a superior form of social organisation that guarantees a more satisfactory urban life.