Interview with Nathalie van Hoeven and Patrick van der Klooster from BPD, partner of Europan NL 15.

For the first time, Europan is focusing exclusively on Rotterdam. Is this a sound decision?

Nathalie: ‘Rotterdam is a very intriguing city, where there is still room to think freely about all its different spaces and places. The five locations that this Europan focuses on illustrate this fact: they are all areas which the municipality has not yet defined a clear vision. Therefore, the insightfulness of new talent is integral.’

Patrick: ‘Europan’s “Productive City” theme this year is closely related to the municipality’s pressing ambition to build 50,000 homes. Rotterdam already has a rich tradition in experimental housing. The first gallery flat, the first cube house, the Kabouterdorp, the Paperclip. What’s next? Asking young talent for their input in the search for new, high quality living typologies seems like a good idea to me.’

Nathalie: ‘It’s about creating mixed-use environments. Not just living, but work and recreation. I find this a very important part of the challenge.

Patrick: ‘Attracting people and jobs is one of the greatest challenges for each of the five sites. This is a throughline in the story of Rotterdam, and a key area of focus for Marco Pastor’s efforts in Rotterdam South. Sure people can live there, but can they earn a good living there? This is Rotterdam’s big socio-economic question.’

The sites selected include Vierhavensblok, Visserijplein, Kop Dakpark, Groot IJsselmonde and Brainpark I. What are some of the opportunities and challenges do you see in these locations?

Nathalie: ‘There is a popular market on Grote Visserijplein twice a week. In my eyes, the square functions just fine. Vierhavensblok seems to offer some interesting opportunities, but a lot has already been proposed. Kop Dakpark is something they’ll be moving ground on tomorrow. I myself would like to sink my teeth into Groot IJsselmonde. It’s a generously-sized intervention area in a very unique neighbourhood. Spatially, and socially, it’s the most interesting to me.’

Patrick: ‘I grew up there, and it certainly presents a good challenge. The assignment is clear: intensification and densification. But the real challenge lies in attracting the new generation. This really applies to the entire city. It’s the same story, just like the Bible. It’s 2000 years old, but constantly subject to new insight and adjustment. Rotterdam’s story is not finished, you must constantly revise it to entice future generations. What I’m personally interested in, is how architects will provoke developers to adopt a socially-oriented position.’

And Brainpark?

Patrick: ‘I think that it’s a promising area. It’s accessible and close to Erasmus University, the Hogeschool, Kralingen and Hilligersberg, on the golden edges of the city.’

What do you hope that Europan brings?

Nathalie: ‘I hope that the design concepts submitted will inspire and encourage you to continue.’

Patrick: ‘Yes, and that they fuel architectural debate and practice. Europan gives young architects the opportunity to establish their own office. This creates the architectural practice of the future. We at BPD believe that this is essential, and are pleased to expand our own networks with that talent. What we create together must be state of the art, but also innovative, inspiring and creative.’

Do you have any advice for the competitors?

Nathalie: ‘Don’t make your plans out of ideas alone. Go into the neighbourhood and explore what’s going on. Get to know the area and try to understand all the forces that are at play in it.’

Patrick: ‘Look into the Rotterdam tradition of experimental forms of living and draw inspiration from these and the fantastic book, Rotterdam Woont. Rotterdam has always been a city of the avant-garde. Don’t take that for granted. Take a look around and ask yourself if this is still the case. Who knows? Maybe Europan’s efforts can stoke the city’s vision for the future.’