courtesy Group A

Central Plaza shopping area in Rotterdam Weena Boulevard reopened on the 21 April after an extensive six months refurbishment. The offices and car park had already been refurbished and completed shortly before. In 2011 GROUP A was commissioned to design the refurbishment of initially the 16,000 sqm of offices in Central Plaza along the Rotterdam Weena; a commission given further clout by the architects' introduction of the following themes to the project:

• optimising the urban route from Rotterdam CS down to the Lijnbaan, right through the Central Plaza shopping area;
• highlighting the presence of both the office program and shopping area, by providing them a clear address and strong identity along the Weena;
• revitalising 3,800 sqm of shopping area and individual shops;
• value appreciation of real estate by optimization of the multifunctional character.

courtesy Group A

The selected comprehensive and integrated approach has already attracted new office tenants and has led to a full rental of retail space. Also the refurbishment of Central Plaza was awarded the 'Award for Sustainable Architecture 2012' (jury report: 'Central Plaza is an excellent example of large-scale, sustainable refurbishment… '), with which the overall transformation has become a success in many ways for client Unibail Rodamco.

Optimisation of the urban route from Rotterdam CS to the city center is implemented by GROUP A by moving the main entrance to the shopping arcade, right into the buildings' corner facing the Central Station Square. To provide orientation a large glass revolving door – almost like a sculptural cylindrical element – is pushed into the shopping arcade. To improve guidance of visitors' flows through the arcade shop fronts are replaced and positioned in a more flowing line, providing a better connection between the entrances.

courtesy Group A

Floors in the retail area got a new hardwearing natural stone finish, shop fronts are replaced, and signage and lighting fixtures redesigned, to provide clear orientation, a pleasant atmosphere and collective identity in the arcade. Ligting concepts were drawn up by BeersNielsen light designers. Along with the new arcade layout, routing, finishes and materialisation, these improvements create a pleasant and inspiring shopping environment as well as a strong link between Central Plaza and the surrounding public area.

courtesy Group A

Enhancement of the Central Plaza's identity along the Weena is achieved by adding large new canopies with integrated light fixtures, emphasising the entrances to both the shopping area as well as the offices above. The extensive refurbishment of the offices includes the full make-over of the two entrance lobbies on the Weena, applying new natural stone floors, bamboo clad walls, and 3,5 meter high transparent revolving doors allowing daylight to enter. Reception areas on the individual floors are also  fitted out with bamboo clad walls, while glass lift doors also here bringing in daylight. Additionally all shell-and-core office space and restrooms are fully refurbished, with an 1,800 mm grid high-end acoustic ceiling making use of sound baffles above ceiling redundant and allowing tenants great flexibility in workspace concepts and layouts. The upgrade from Energy Label Class E to Class A, is the natural result of an intelligent climate concept, and includes full replacement of all plant.

courtesy Group A

+ Project information

Central Plaza, a multi-functional development originally designed in 1992 by architect W. Th. Ellerman, comprises offices, parking garage, retail area, and residential tower.

Project: address Weena, Rotterdam, NL
Area: 16,000 sqm of offices and 3,800 sqm of retail
Client: Unibail Rodamco and Fakton Ventures BV (offices)
Architect: GROUP A, Rotterdam
Lighting design: BeersNielsen, Rotterdam
Contractor: Koers Rotterdam BV
Consultant: IMd Raadgevende Ingenieurs
Project management: Roukens + Van Gils

Start design: January 2011
Start on site June 2011
Completion phased 2012/2013

Photos: Ossip architectuurfotografie, Rotterdam
Award: Winner of the 'Award for Sustainable Use 2012'

+ All images courtesy Group A

five AM recently has recently completed the Office Square.

To create an airy and nice place to work, without any excesses, for the finance and accountancy department: that was our task. As to not get trapped in the conventional office set-up, we decided to create a square-like atmosphere, by surrounding the space with houses. These houses in fact act as storage space, meeting room, archive etc. By fully respecting the white interior, the warm contrast between the carpet flooring and the oak of the doors and cabinets is truly enhanced.

five AM

courtesy five AM

courtesy five AM

courtesy five AM

+ All images and drawing courtesy five AM