the building
Fund for Innovation and Economy
(SOFIE). Since 2012, the building has been
developed and exploited by a foundation
(Stichting Handelscompagnie Sluisjesdijk).
The starting point for the transformation was
the preservation of the iconic appear-
ance of the building and the characteristics
of the facade. The use of relatively simple
interventions could achieve the desired results
necessary for a qualitative ofîš¿ce building.
The former building of the N.V. Handelscom-
pagnie (Trading Company) is located at
the pivot point of the Sluisjesdijkpier and
the Waalhaven Oostzijde, as a gatekeeper
between the Charlois neighbourhood and
the Waalhaven harbour district. The complex
designed by Ad van der Steur was built in
1946. More remarkable buildings in the city of
Rotterdam are designed by this architect, such
as the ventilation buildings of the Maastunnel,
Museum Boijmans and the Oogziekenhuis
(Eye Hospital).
The building complex of in total 5200 m2
consists of three parts: an ofîš¿ce building, a
janitors house and a workshop, with only the
workshop still to be developed. The ambition
is to require this 4000 m2 space in the future
as well, to develop a learning and working
place for crafts and innovation.
After a period of vacancy and decay, the ofîš¿ce
building was redeveloped with the support
of the Inner City Harbour Development
project data
Transformation and restructuring of the former
factory building into workspaces and shared facilities
location | Rotterdam, the Netherlands
programme | ofîš¿ces, meeting spaces, kitchen, bar
dimensions | 1200 m2
fase I Masterplan
fase II Co-working spaces and facilities
fase III Outdoor space
fase IV Workshops 4000 m2 (future development)
partners
Port Authority
Jef van den Putten Architectuur
SOFIE