Name: Meimei Montan & Alix von Knebel
Track: Master Architecture
Studio: Complex Projects
Year: MSc1 / 2023-2024
Type: Building for Science and Learning
Tutor: Dr. Manuela Triggianese
Description:
The project originates in a distinctive opportunity to intervene within the Waalhaven area left behind by Rotterdam‘s industry moving westwards. The exploration resulted in the DOX Complex, a proposal for reusing a historic paper packaging factory implemented in Sluisjesdijk and a blueprint for reprogramming industrial spaces. The design transformation hosts a venue for med-tech education, community gatherings, and commercial activities for the expansion of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus medical collaboration. Knowledge exchange between students, researchers and the med-tech community is made central through the spatial strategy of interconnected flexible lab and research spaces.
The design builds on the existing qualities and appearance of a typical 1950s industrial building, particularly the characteristic skylight roof through which daylight flows and new teaching/learning spaces are placed underneath. New distinct diagonal braces complement the paper packaging factory‘s robust and brutal concrete skeleton to preserve the large industrial spans. In between the regular structure, light modules hosting different functions are repeated throughout the large existing footprint. In addition, community and commercial spaces are dispersed in the existing volume, connected by a public central pathway.