RET building

co-working and meeting space rotterdam

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 of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 of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 of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 | of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

co-workspace before co-workspace after

transformation

Today the ofce building houses multiple

organizations in the creative and technological

sector. In addition to workspaces, the ground

oor of the building provides collective

spaces such as meeting and presentation

rooms, a professional kitchen and a bar.

These facilities are accessible for tenants as

well as organizations and residents from the

neighbourhood and city. With minimal inter-

ventions the ground oor is transformed into

an open, uid space. The corridor is dismissed

and collective spaces are connected. The

original structure is made visible and

light can enter the entire oor.

The former industrial heritage is transformed

step by step; once suitable tenants were

found, another oor was renovated. The ren-

ovation work on site is executed with people

who have a distance to the labour market, with

the aim of getting them to permanent employ-

ment. The redesign of the outdoor space in

front of the building was developed within a

design competition for young designers.