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Kickoff competition Sluisjesdijk

How can the connection be shaped between port and neighbourhood in the design of the public space around the former RET office? This is the challenge of the design competition, organised by Veldacademie, for which more than fifty students of different design schools have enlisted. Not without gain: the port authority shall realise the winning design.

Aftrap prijsvraag Sluisjesdijk

The Port Authority has the ambition to transform the area around the former RET office into a vibrant meeting spot that adds to the establishing climate for businesses. Catalyst in this development is the redevelopment of the former RET-office, in which Veldacademie is the first user. The next step is the redecoration of the surrounding public space.

Rotterdam’s most characteristic places are found on the transitions between city and port. Traditionally there were strong ties between the port and daily live in the neighbourhoods, nowadays these are all but gone. This counts for the entrance area of the Sluisjesdijkpier of the Waalhaven. In order to fulfil this assignment Veldacademie, commissioned by the Port Authority, organizes a design competition for students. Goal of the project is to develop a design concept that strengthens the representativeness of the place on different layers, while at the same time being practical and feasible. With this students are given the chance to try a realistic case and, for the winner, see their project realized.

A program of demands was put together in collaboration of all the stakeholders from the area, inhabitants as well as entrepreneurs. Together with the Rotterdam academy of architecture and the TU Delft the competition is communicated at the different design schools. The subscription period is closed now and no less than twenty-two teams with in total more than fifty participants shall submit their design plans at the beginning of November, following a meticulous review by a professional jury.