Timmerhuis, with a total area of almost 50,000 m2 and a height of 60 m, was to be a very noticeable addition to the urban landscape in terms of its dimensions. However, OMA's architects felt that the new building should be modest, to the extent that OMA partner Reinier de Graaf, who led the design, called it, among other things, an “unformed heap,” however reflecting Rotterdam and its mood. This refers to the endless change in styles and approaches that has made up the history of the city since the end of World War II, when it was almost completely destroyed, as well as the resulting eclectic picture and unclear prospects for further development.
Therefore, Timmerhuis is emphatically neutral and designed for possible transformations in the future. Among other things, this flexibility is part of the requirement of customers, city authorities. They wanted the greenest building in the Netherlands and it is already certified as BREEAM **** Excellent Sustainability. The curtain façade with triple glazing and light-transmitting insulation has no analogues in terms of efficiency, heat and cold storage is also provided, and two atriums act as "light" buildings.
This flexibility is achieved due to the fact that many identical modules are "hung" on the steel supporting structure, which, depending on the needs, can be used as offices or apartments. Each such "cube" or "pixel" measures 7.2 mx 7.2 mx 3.6 m. At the moment, the lower part of the building is occupied by the Rotterdam Museum (1,630 m2), cafes and shops (2,070 m2). Above are the offices (together with the adjacent to Timmerhuis municipal building Stadstimmerhuis, built in 1953, they cover 25,400 m2), and at the very top, where the volume of the building recedes from the red line of the street and is divided into two "peaks", housing is placed (12,000 m2 - 84 apartments). There is also an underground parking (3900 m2, 120 parking spaces).
From the side of the central street Kolsingel, Timmerhuis looks symmetrical and monumental, at the same time it does not overwhelm (at least this is the intention of the authors of the project) the above-mentioned neighbor - Stadstimmerhuis. At ground level, the OMA building opens up a wide walkway for pedestrians connecting the two streets; the cantilever overhang here reaches 21 m. Thanks to the modular design, Timmerhuis residents will receive terraces-gardens on the roofs of the apartments below.
