ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

HOUSING HET WITTE DORP ROTTERDAM

P. DE LEY, 1986-1992, Aakstraat/Baardsestraat, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Paul De Ley

BUILDING TYPE:
Housing
Urban plans


RELATED BUILDINGS:
Works Office Building Oud-Mathenesse (Reconstruction)
Works Office Building Oud-Mathenesse (Reconstruction)
Housing Oud-Mathenesse (Het Witte Dorp)

In 1985 the City of Rotterdam decided that J.J.P. Oud's celebrated White Village (1922-1923) was structurally too far gone for further preservation. The central square with its old poplars and willows was retained as was the village ambience fostered by the inhabitants. Oud's layout in rings around the square has been replaced by a configuration of parallel rows, the intermediate space between houses alternating gardens and streets, almost all of which lead into the square. The houses run the gamut of floor plans and vary between three- and six-room units. Their sculptural facades are in white concrete brick above a red plinth, colours that refer to the original White Village.