Can architecture be rock’n’roll? Yes, of course, and in the Netherlands you inevitably end up with Roberto Meyer and MVSA Architects. The ING House once heralded their international breakthrough. Meanwhile, more than fifteen years later, his MVSA Architects are winning one prestigious tender after another.
© Mig de Jong
After the peak of the ING House and the major projects that followed, 2013 saw the divorce of his business partner Jeroen van Schooten. Roberto took over the firm and the name was shortened to MVSA Architects. The firm realized among others The Flow in Amsterdam, the office building Social Affairs and Work in Groningen and the new Headoffice for EMA (build in a record speed and off course with a steel frame) and is currently working on a spectacular project : the new library for the University of Amsterdam.
© Corné Bastiaansen
Two projects made a big impression on me at the time: Infinity (formerly ING House) and Rotterdam Central Station, a project that was a co-creation between Benthem Crouwel Architects (Jan Benthem), West8 (Adriaan Geuze) and MVSA (Jeroen van Schooten). I will highlight ING House in another post, but today I will dwell on CS Rotterdam.
Photo ©Jeroen van Dam
The roof that spans the entire station creating a single entity is actually made up of two halves – a high, light section vaulting the tracks and trains, and a more imposing section over the main entrance hall clad in shiny stainless steel. This is a reference to the glistening River Meuse that flows through the heart of Rotterdam.
Photo © Luke Harley
The roof above the main entrance hall is a steel structure of an immense span supported at just two points founded on the subway station’s diaphragm walls. To soften the awe-inspiring scale of the new station, the architects opted for a warm, wooden cladding for the enormous roof’s interior. (text : MVSA).
Photo © Jannes Linders
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
