ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

FRUIT AUCTION COMPLEX ROTTERDAM

H.A. MAASKANT, 1951-1955, Marconistraat 25, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Hugh Maaskant

PROJECT ARCHITECT:
Bert van Dommelen

BUILDING TYPE:
Industrial and public-utility buildings

The area around Merwehaven is mainly used for the trans-shipment of fruit. This complex combines a compact auction building dominated by the trapezium-shaped auction hall, and an elongated portion of offices and storage spaces belonging to two trading companies. The expressive front facade, the sculptural, occasionally cantilevered volumes and the largely transparent ground-floor hall as well as details like the bay window-shaped call boxes and choice of building materials add up to a typical 1950s ambience. This is a successful example of Van Tijen's 'marriage of concrete and brick', executed by his partner Maaskant and the latter's assistant Van Dommelen.