POST Rotterdam

Located in Rotterdam’s bustling center, this historically important building was built in 1916, and it was one of the only original structures still standing after Rotterdam Blitz, the aerial bombardment that in 1940 leveled nearly all of the city. The new 150-meter POST tower will rise towards the rear of the Postkantoor and straddle the existing open courtyard, on the new Rodezand wing. The vaulted plinth of the tower will greatly enhance the experience of the courtyard, coupling it with the Great Hall of the Postkantoor. In a subtle nod to context, ODA mirrors the rhythm of five-foot spacing between columns on the Postkantoor’s facade in a stone grid that defines the tower. Designed with nonpareil windows, the POST tower shows openings that vary in size and shape to funnel daylight. This variety sets a break from the series of glass-facade towers along the new Rotterdam skyline and celebrates the elegance of the main hall along its profile. At the street level, the majestic Great Hall — a vaulted, 1916 marvel soaring 22.5 meters (almost 74 feet) in height — will undergo a faithful restoration to serve as the project’s public heart. A new entrance on Rodezand will render the hall accessible from all sides and will connect with the building’s back courtyard to form a sweeping passageway. Throughout the hall and courtyard space, a slew of public amenities — in the form retail, galleries, restaurants, and cafes, many with open sight lines to Coolsingel will add up to the city’s pedestrian experience.