ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

DEPARTMENT STORE DE BIJENKORF ROTTERDAM

M. BREUER, A. ELZAS, 1953-1957, Coolsingel 105, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Marcel Breuer

ASSISTING ARCHITECT:
Abraham Elzas

ARTIST:
Naum Gabo

EXTENSION:
DSBV
Marcel Breuer
T. Devlin

ASSISTING ARCHITECT:
Daniel Schwartzman

BUILDING TYPE:
Shops

Unlike the former Bijenkorf ('Beehive') designed by Dudok but later demolished in the aftermath of the wartime bombing raid, this post-war version of the department store was executed as an almost completely sealed box. A column grid of 12 metres ensures an optimum subdivision of the sales area. Front and rear elevations have a honeycomb cladding of hexagonal travertine panels with horizontal and vertical fluting and slits of fenestration. The restaurant and offices have larger windows. As Breuer refused to conform to the double building line of Coolsingel, a monumental sculpture by Naum Gabo was placed in front of the Bijenkorf to compensate.