Rotterdam's latest attraction, Portlandis, links tourists with the city's vibrant maritime heritage.
Introducing Portlantis: A New Educational Centre in Rotterdam
Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is set to unveil an exciting new addition to its urban landscape - Portlantis. This innovative educational and experience centre, designed by MVRDV, transforms Europe’s largest port into an interactive public space for both children and adults [1].
Design and Purpose
Portlantis is an immersive "gesamtkunstwerk," a total artwork, that seamlessly integrates architecture, exhibitions, and interactive experiences. The centre invites exploration and discovery, offering visitors a multisensory journey through the port’s history, operations, and impact on the city and world [1]. Its purpose is to make the complex workings of Rotterdam’s port accessible and exciting, engaging locals and tourists alike [1][2][3].
Educational Journey
The building consists of five cubic volumes, resembling a Rubik’s cube, and is demountable, with reusable facade panels. It is fully energy-neutral, drawing power from its own wind turbine and solar panels [4]. The interior features an interactive screen showcasing the port’s history, moving models of boat parts, and distinct educational purposes for each level, aimed at inspiring young children [5].
The second floor focuses on the impact and influences of the port on the region’s economy, employment, and environment. The third floor looks towards the future, addressing topics such as energy transition and geopolitical changes [2]. The fourth and fifth floors house a restaurant and an accessible rooftop offering a panoramic view.
Location and Accessibility
Portlantis is located around 45 minutes from the city centre and overlooks the sea. Its address is Pr. Máximaweg 301, 3199 KG Maasvlakte Rotterdam, Netherlands [6]. More information about Portlantis can be found on the Port of Rotterdam's website [7].
Sustainable Architecture
Designed by MVRDV and Kossmanndejong with a focus on sustainable architecture, Portlantis is predicted to host 150,000 visitors per year. While specific sustainable technologies or materials used in Portlantis are not detailed in the available sources, its purpose to educate about the port strongly suggests an emphasis on sustainability themes relevant to modern port management [3]. By fostering awareness and understanding, Portlantis likely contributes to promoting sustainable practices in port and urban development.
For more details about the architectural design of Portlantis, visit MVRDV’s website [4]. Rotterdam’s unique architectural journey, marked by its city centre being destroyed after the Second World War, makes Portlantis a significant addition to the city’s skyline. The centre’s facade, constructed with sandwich panels robust against wind, salt, and dust, is a testament to this resilience.
The project for Portlantis was led by Winy Maas, the architect from MVRDV, who designed it as a "cute stack" inspired by Dutch windmills [8]. Portlantis is a new educational centre in Rotterdam, built on the cusp of the port, aiming to celebrate and explain the port’s economic, cultural, and potentially sustainable dimensions [1][2][3].
[1] MVRDV. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://www.mvrdv.com/projects/portlantis
[2] Kossmanndejong. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://kossmanndejong.nl
[3] Port of Rotterdam. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://portofrotterdam.maglr.com
[4] MVRDV. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://www.mvrdv.com/projects/portlantis
[5] Kossmanndejong. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://kossmanndejong.nl
[6] Port of Rotterdam. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://portofrotterdam.maglr.com
[7] Port of Rotterdam. (2021). Portlantis. Retrieved from https://portofrotterdam.maglr.com
[8] Dezeen. (2021). Portlantis by MVRDV in Rotterdam transforms Europe's largest port into an interactive public space. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/15/portlantis-mvrdv-rotterdam-europe-largest-port-interactive-public-space-kossmanndejong-opening-date-2021-2022/
The educational and interactive experience centre, Portlantis, located in Rotterdam, offers visitors a multisensory journey through the port's history, operations, and impact (education-and-self-development). By integrating architecture, exhibitions, and interactive experiences, it aims to make the complex workings of Rotterdam's port accessible and exciting (education-and-self-development).
