Architecture in Rotterdam

Rotterdam has earned a world wide reputation for its modern architecture. Especially during the 1990s a lot has been accomplished in that field. The highrise buildings in particular attract a lot of attention and has risen to " undutch" proportions.   Professionals and amateur fans alike come from all corners to Rotterdam to see what has been and is being built. The strong presence of audacious, mold breaking modern architecture in Rotterdam is often linked to the German bombardment of 1940, because of which the inner city had to be rebuilt from scratch. That perspective is only partly true. After the second world war there was of course lots of space and opportunity for modern architecture in the inner city and modern architects and urban planners made their mark on the reconstruction. However, modern architecture in Rotterdam goes further back than that. Long before the war lots of old (both ugly and beautiful) buildings were demolished to make way for new ones. Architects like Oud, Dudok, Van den Broek, Brinkman, Van der Vlugt, Maaskant, Van Tijen and others were able design and build office and residential buildings  in revolutionary, mostly functionalist, styles. Also examples of other styles from before that time, early 20th century, can be found in  Rotterdam, like the  Art Nouveau. Not that all pre-war Architecture in Rotterdam was of high standard. Notably in the old working class neighbourhoods of the late 19th century bad and cheap construction work was the order of the day, in order to meet the high demand caused by the rapid influx of labour, attracted by the growing port industry in Rotterdam.  During the post-war reconstruction the functionalists, who had already made some headway before the war, got their field day. In the 1950s and 60s their simple, light and functional style was leading the way. It allowed Rotterdam to rebuild the city fairly rapidly in a relative comfortable and cost effective way. The inner city was the focal point for business related activities. Most of the housing that was lost there was not replaced. Instead of that new residential areas were added on the city's outskirts. In the 1970s this development came to a halt. On the one hand resistance grew against the monotonous, depersonalised character of functionalist architecture. On the other hand it was recognised that the inner city had become rather boring without people actually living there. The first initiatives to do something about it, were typical 1970s plans: small scale projects with lots of variations in forms within one project, like the Oude Haven (Old Docks). It was not until the late 1980s and 90s that more large scale daring projects were undertaken.. This time not according to functionalist principles of 20 years earlier, but more risky, extravagant and with more display of technological power, which rapidly gave the city its modern, cosmopolitan look with a skyline to match. Architects with international fame were invited to contribute: Foster, Piano, Jahn, Bolles. Along with Dutch architects with international aclaim like Quist, Koolhaas, Van Berkel. The city became more compact. Open inner city spaces were filled with high rise. Other areas, that have lost their industrial or port functions are being redeveloped with a mix of business, residential and recreational functions: Kop van Zuid, Mullerpier, Lloydkwartier, Wijnhaveneiland and in the future also the Central Railway sation area.