Floating Office Rotterdam

Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR) A Vessel for Change Moored at Rijnhaven port in Rotterdam, our floating office for the Global Center on Adaptation is a building for a new age. Off-grid and carbon-neutral, it will float – rather than flood – if water levels rise due to climate change. Fun as well as functional, it also forms a key element in a newly redeveloped port environment by providing public waterside space – and even a swimming pool. Revitalizing the Harbor FOR is part of a larger regeneration of Rotterdam’s Rijnhaven, formerly one of the of city’s busiest harbors. The revitalizing of now disused former industrial land will pave the way for a vibrant, lively new city center. In the wake of the departed harbor industry, the Floating Office plays an important role in reactivating the streetscape with public facilities full of bustling activity – a restaurant with a large outdoor terrace and a swimming pool. In addition to creating a desirable workplace, these features will draw footfall to the area and breathe new life into the harbor. Embodying Our Client’s Mission We designed the floating office to reflect the values of its inhabitants: the Global Center on Adaptation. This Rotterdam-based NGO chaired by Ban Ki-moon aims at promoting planning, investment and technology to mitigate climate change. The climate-resilient office is both an illustration of the center’s mission and sets an example for how sustainable construction is possible. Healthy Workspace The naturally breathable cross-laminated timber construction contributes to a healthy air quality that maximizes occupant comfort and health. To boost well-being even further, the natural warmth and calm of the wood is left exposed inside – studies have shown interiors with high proportions of wood surfaces reduce stress, improve concentration, and help people to find their workplace more inviting and energizing. This connection to natural elements is heightened by the floor to ceiling windows full of natural light that look out to green landscaping, including trees planted on FOR’s deck. Spacious terraces and balconies wrap around the building to provide plenty of ventilation and fresh air that continue to raise the health of FOR’s users. Surrounded by water, people at work enjoy amazing views from the gigantic windows and access to decks for eating, drinking, and relaxing. To encourage movement, a large sculptural staircase is placed at the heart of the building, stimulating people to take the stairs rather that the elevator. Responding to the Climate Crisis FOR makes use of natural energy thanks to 800 square meters of solar panels, making it completely off-grid and self-sufficient. Using water from the Rijnhaven harbor, it utilizes a water-based heat-exchange system, while overhanging balconies will provide shade. We greatly reduced FOR’s carbon footprint by constructing it completely out of timber, allowing it to be completely carbon-neutral. The interior structure is an open grid that allows for flexible uses. FOR has been designed for the future – built for disassembly, it’s completely reusable and recyclable. In response to changing water levels due to climate change, FOR adapts by staying afloat.