Short description
Description
The pavilion is a pilot and a catalyst for floating construction in Rotterdam. It consists of three interlinked spheres, the largest of which has a radius of 12 meters. The floor space of the pavilion island is over 46 to 24 meters.
The pavilion is located in the Rijnhaven. This port is very suitable for the pavilion because of its moderate waves. The nautical use the Rijnhaven by inland ships has been decreasing since the port is destined to be a future leisure port. The Rijnhaven is well served by public transport, also over water. Aiming to be the World Capital of CO2 by reducing fifty per cent its carbon emissions, Rotterdam has ambitious plans to adapt to rising sea levels. The idea is to build a community of floating homes, and this charming Floating Pavilion is their first prototype, presently used for exhibitions and events. The innovative pavilion meets an increasing demand for climate-proof shelters that are as flexible and self-sufficient as possible.
Data
Phase:
Active
Starting date:
21-05-2010
Scale:
Building
Qualitative Analysis
Description of the Process
To heat and cool the rooms, under- floor heating and FiWiHex- units (efficient heat- exchangers) are used. This heating system is sustainable because it is a low- temperature heating and it uses radiation instead of convection of heat and cold. The exposition space is passively heated by the sun and by lock ventilation. In the facade, large hatches and glass slats were placed that can be opened for ventilation. To prevent too much exposure to the sun, the cushions on the facade differ in transparency- they are less transparent in the higher layers and more transparent in the lower ones. This area serves as a transition space between the inside and the outside, with maximum temperature of 15 degrees C. The auditorium (the smallest dome), however, has vacuum- tube solar collectors placed on the ceiling which gather the Sun's warmth to transform it into cooling. This sounds like a contradiction but it is based on the process that also takes place inside the human body- evaporation. This cooling system is called adiabatic evaporative cooling and works via an intelligent air- treatment cabinet. The Pavilion also purifies its own toilet water using a three- tank IBA system, which consists of three different purification processes which take place in three separate tanks- physical, chemical and biological purification. Drinking water is also purified and is re- used as rinse water as much as possible. Whatever is left can safely be discharged into surface water.
History
A large part of the Netherlands is situated below sea level. Over the last 150 years, the Dutch people have conquered the sea to develop new land (‘polders’) and protect them with dikes and extensive water pump systems. Raising sea levels and intensified storms lead to reinforcement of existing water management structures. See also the article about The Hague on innovative dike renovation projects.
Every strip of land ánd every strip of water is precious in a highly dense country like The Netherlands. The Task Force ‘Rotterdam Climate Initiative’ has been established to study building constructions in areas outside the dikes. The floating pavilion is the first result. Important objectives of the new Pavilion are to showcase ways to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, in line with the Rotterdam Municipality objectives of 50% CO2 emission reduction by 50% by 2020.
The Floating Pavilion was designed by local team DeltaSync and PublicDomain Architects and constructed by Dura Vermeer.
Result of project
Spatial quality
Contribution of the project to the design practice
Moreover, the pavilion has offered a possible solution for architects regarding floating structures and their function. The development of a ‘Floating Building’ allows architects, building constructors and public parties not only to learn about ‘how to build on water’, but also; how to transport floating buildings’ and all other aspects related to ‘houses on water’. For instance: Who will be the owner ? How to register this ‘not-just-a-boat-but-certainly-not-a-house-either? How to interpret the municipality city plan (‘bestemmingsplan’) that has indicated the function ‘harbour’ for this area, where now people can sleep, work or meet?
Advice for future developments to futher develop the trend
The new industrial sea harbor area ‘Tweede Maasvlakte’, located much closer to the seaside, has taken over the role of the City Harbor in the last few years. Now 1600 hectares of the old harbor area becomes available for other activities. The Floating Pavilion is an exemplary showcase of how future development of the harbor could work as a leisure, public space and accommodation area of tomorrow's Rotterdam.