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Architects: Studio Roosegaarde
- Area: 1000 m²
- Year: 2016
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Photographs:Willem de Kam
Text description provided by the architects. Dating from 1937, the derelict building, a former glass factory located near the Rotterdam harbour and 10 minutes from the Erasmusbrug, was about to be demolished until it caught Roosegaarde’s eye.
The building of more than 1000m2 was renovated over the last year by Roosegaarde and his team of designers and engineers. Inspired by Roosegaarde’s fascination for the Dutch skies, its new design opens up the space to Dutch light to fully soak into its magic, transforming it into the dream lab of the 21st century. The main artery of the building is used for the building of prototypes and visible from the above offices and balconies at any time of the day.
The building’s main centre stage is malleable to its dream functions such as open lab sessions and educational activities. Special features include the dream library which houses an extended collection of antique and new books. Wall divisions in the space are made of glass enabling new ideas to be drawn on the walls directly as an open sketchbook inviting team members to contribute and develop concepts together. A unique laboratory is housed on ground floor, in the former garage, to cultivate live bio organisms in the dark. The furniture such as the team desks are directly inspired by large boats and float as islands into space. From the top floor the studio offices offer stunning views over the harbour and river as windows to the world.
