_DSC5477-2
Van Nelle Factory, Rotterdam The Netherlands – Architects: Brinkman and Van der Vlugt – masterplan 1914 – 1923; design 1923 – 1925; execution 1925 - 1931
The Van Nelle Factory is one of the highlights of the Modern Movement in the Netherlands. The impressive glass building is not only an example of functionalism and rational production, but also improved working conditions for workers in the twentieth century. The restored building is now one of the most important monuments of Rotterdam
The Firm Van Nelle was selling coffee, tea, tobacco and snuff in Rotterdam since 1782. The entirely new complex consists of the actual factory building, an office building, a warehouse, expedition and storage depots along the canal, a boiler house and several workshops. A cafeteria and sports fields were also to be found in the area. The factory building consists of three elongated in height sloping parts separated by stairwells. Tobacco has eight, coffee five and tea factory three floors. The staircases house the washing and changing facilities, toilets and lifts, separated for men and women. This allowed for continues factory floors and easily adjustable layouts. By using a concrete frame the non-load bearing facades could be made almost entirely of glass with only thin steel frames. Light and air could penetrate deep into the building. The expedition and storage strip along the water is connected to the main building by overhead conveyor bridges. Another sky bridge connects the plant to the office at the entrance of the complex. The office consists of a strip with two layers of offices and a large open space with glass walls and glass meeting rooms. The office follows the curve in the road. During construction, a tea room on the roof of the tobacco factory was added.
In 1942, low-rise warehouses designed by Brinkman and Van den Broek were realized. In 1974 at the back of the building, a new distribution centre was built. In 1951 other products such as pudding and chewing gum made their entrance. After a takeover by the American Standard Brands in 1989, Van Nelle competitor Sara Lee / Douwe Egberts, sold the complex in 1995, so it could finally get the status of national monument. Using the name Van Nelle Design Factory, the complex started a new life. The factory complex was restored by Wessel de Jonge and Claessens Erdmann. The transparency of the factory floor was maintained as much as possible by the new climate walls on the inside. The new inner facades are made of aluminium and therefore clearly identifiable as new elements. On the floors office spaces of various sizes have been realized for the creative sector. The ground floor is used for exhibitions and conferences. The adjacent buildings have been restored and are used by a number of architectural firms.
_DSC5477-2
Van Nelle Factory, Rotterdam The Netherlands – Architects: Brinkman and Van der Vlugt – masterplan 1914 – 1923; design 1923 – 1925; execution 1925 - 1931
The Van Nelle Factory is one of the highlights of the Modern Movement in the Netherlands. The impressive glass building is not only an example of functionalism and rational production, but also improved working conditions for workers in the twentieth century. The restored building is now one of the most important monuments of Rotterdam
The Firm Van Nelle was selling coffee, tea, tobacco and snuff in Rotterdam since 1782. The entirely new complex consists of the actual factory building, an office building, a warehouse, expedition and storage depots along the canal, a boiler house and several workshops. A cafeteria and sports fields were also to be found in the area. The factory building consists of three elongated in height sloping parts separated by stairwells. Tobacco has eight, coffee five and tea factory three floors. The staircases house the washing and changing facilities, toilets and lifts, separated for men and women. This allowed for continues factory floors and easily adjustable layouts. By using a concrete frame the non-load bearing facades could be made almost entirely of glass with only thin steel frames. Light and air could penetrate deep into the building. The expedition and storage strip along the water is connected to the main building by overhead conveyor bridges. Another sky bridge connects the plant to the office at the entrance of the complex. The office consists of a strip with two layers of offices and a large open space with glass walls and glass meeting rooms. The office follows the curve in the road. During construction, a tea room on the roof of the tobacco factory was added.
In 1942, low-rise warehouses designed by Brinkman and Van den Broek were realized. In 1974 at the back of the building, a new distribution centre was built. In 1951 other products such as pudding and chewing gum made their entrance. After a takeover by the American Standard Brands in 1989, Van Nelle competitor Sara Lee / Douwe Egberts, sold the complex in 1995, so it could finally get the status of national monument. Using the name Van Nelle Design Factory, the complex started a new life. The factory complex was restored by Wessel de Jonge and Claessens Erdmann. The transparency of the factory floor was maintained as much as possible by the new climate walls on the inside. The new inner facades are made of aluminium and therefore clearly identifiable as new elements. On the floors office spaces of various sizes have been realized for the creative sector. The ground floor is used for exhibitions and conferences. The adjacent buildings have been restored and are used by a number of architectural firms.