ROTTERDAM – The former RTV Rijnmond complex on Mathenesserlaan and Nieuwe Binnenweg was empty for ten years, from 2007 to 2017. A collaboration between Fullhouse and Bokkers van der Veen Architecten has put an end to this. The former RTV Rijnmond complex is an amalgam of buildings that have been purchased and built over the years by the Westerpaviljoen and RTV Rijnmond:

two monumental villas on the Nieuwe Binnenweg, the Westerpaviljoen on the Mathenesserlaan and behind it a restaurant, which was originally built as canteen in front of Unilever’s headquarters. The transformation focused on the removal of low-value extensions and intermediate constructions and the restoration of the original objects. The recognisability of the individual monumental objects and the added space in between make new living and working functions possible, revitalizing this protected cityscape.

Victoria Lofts & Victoria workspaces – phase 1

The low-quality building parts connecting the dining hall and the monumental city villas have been demolished. A new rear facade has been realized that restores the original situation. The low-grade brick intermediate member that connected the two villas has been upgraded to a transparent connection that serves as access to seven of the eight short-stay apartments. The vacant space between the dining room and villas forms a small patio garden that serves as a communal outdoor space for the residents of these apartments, who have been given the name Victorialofts.

The spaces above the Wester Pavilion, which were also part of this sequence of office and studio spaces and which moreover have the status of municipal monument, have also been “cut loose”. After removing all unnecessary metal stud walls and suspended ceilings, it was decided to provide a hole in the ceiling with a new skylight and to realize an open office space, of which the characteristic ceiling with concrete beams and bimbeton cassettes has also been brought into view again. These spaces have been reused as a workplace, including by Fullhouse Vastgoed.

Wester pavilion – phase 2

The corner of the Westerpaviljoen, on the side of the Schoevers building, previously served as the main entrance to the RTV complex and was therefore connected to all areas in the hall and the villas. There was also a transformer room, which resulted in a closed facade. Now that both the entrance function and transformer space had become redundant, this offered an opportunity to make this corner more inviting. In the design of the facade, located in a protected cityscape, the already existing fronts on Mathenesserlaan formed the starting point for the new openings.

The new openings are in line with the rhythm and measure of the openings that architect D. Dürrer realized for the Westerpaviljoen in the 1940s and 50s designed. As a result, the facade of the Westerpaviljoen has become a whole and the separate legibility of the various buildings has been improved. The Westerpaviljoen has now taken this space into use with a food bar.

Mathenesserlofts – phase 3

The hall has been transformed into two luxury residences, the Mathenesserlofts. The houses are oriented towards the courtyard, which has been created by stripping the dining room of low-quality additions to cooling rooms and garages. The houses have large facades on that side with slender detailing, in accordance with the steel skylights that were already on four sides of the hall. In both lofts, a mezzanine floor with bedrooms has been created in the high, open space. A light structure has been realized on the roof, which is supported by a special construction of large concrete beams above the roof surface. New industrial steel stairs connect the spaces from basement to roof structure, providing access to spacious roof terraces. The building is fully insulated and heat pumps are used for heating. These sustainable homes have no gas connection and are all-electric, ready for the future.

Schoevers Building & Daycare – phase 4 & 5

For the former daycare center, formerly a gym, in the backyard, Bokkers van der Veen made a sketch design and made the zoning plan change. A new owner has been found for the former gym, who will turn it into a luxury villa. For the Schoevers building, it is being investigated whether the former school building can be transformed into a boutique hotel.