De Zalmhaven

De Zalmhaven is a mainly residential complex developed by AM & Amvest on a site adjacent to the former port of Zalmhaven, in the centre of Rotterdam. The project consists of approximately 450 high-quality apartments located inside two mid-rise towers (by KAAN Architecten) and a skyscraper (by Dam & Partners). The two mid-rise towers, each 70 metres tall, sprout from a solid plinth with clearly marked entrances. Combining both urban and local scales, the new complex feels stately and formal yet also extremely transparent. A white grid façade relates to the traditional, sober architecture of the shipyard and the grid is furthermore a binding motif that links up the various blocks into a unique whole. The footprint of each tower is a split and shifted square, creating more corners and an interesting range of apartments in differing sizes, all with corner windows offering astounding views. The plinth includes family houses with rooftop gardens and has a direct relationship with the surroundings at ground level.