ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

OFFICE BUILDING DE UTRECHT ROTTERDAM

J.J.P. OUD, 1954-1961, Coolsingel 75-77, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
J.J.P. Oud

RENOVATOR:
Wim Quist

ARTIST:
Paul Koning

BUILDING TYPE:
Office buildings

This building had to be set back on a comparatively deep site. Oud's concern here was to ensure 'a clear, total separation from its neighbours', to which end he spanned a curtain wall between two bright blue screens. Of natural anodized aluminium, the curtain wall follows a module of 1 x 1 metre. Oud introduced a double corridor system in which such 'intrusive' elements as stairs, toilets and storerooms are sandwiched between the two rows of offices. Despite the great care aspired to by Quist when renovating the frontage, the building has lost much of its original eloquence.