Van Nelle Factory Rotterdam

As part of the Architectural Trip to Netherlands in March, it was organized the visit to Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, one of the most interesting building of modernism presenting ingenious design solutions with glass and steel in construction. Designers demonstrated courage and farsightedness in creating the building and its functioning, such as the curved wall of the main block where heads observed the process of manufacturing through glassed windows which opened good review of entire factory. As a result Van Nelle Factory is well-lit and ventilated building with atmoshere of volume and purity that is unique to industrial complexes.

Uniqueness of the Van Nelle Factory is in the smart decisions that were relevant in the 30's, respectively, and are relevant today, such as two-sided staircase made for men and women, who worked on a factory, they said goodbye on the first floor and were divided on their side going to work. Spirit of 30's when men and women were separated on opposite sides fits well into the atmosphere of the building. 

In the 20th century it was a factory, manufacturing coffee, tea and tobacco and later on additional chewing gum, cigarettes, pudding and rice. Today it is a place of design companies and is known as the Van Nelle Design Factory. Some of the areas are used for meetings, conventions and events and this area is designed for dinner area, as we see the variety of chairs came from different offices and floors, like people bring a chair with them as well as a launch box. 

Long passages extending from the floor to floor used to deliver products and food, logical connection    with the factory building via the walkway. Now, because of the technical state it does not work but is an inseparable part of Van Nelle design.

All listed design ideas that was used in this temple of smart solutions live out of time.

by Annet Akopyan
IAD, Level 5
BHSAD