Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Fenix I Warehouse is a renovation project by Mei architects and planners that transformed a historic warehouse building into a 45,000 sqm of mixed-use space with a unique steel structure built on top.
The project has been awarded a 2021 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The former San Francisco warehouse, built-in 1922 for the Holland America Line, was an impressive 360 meters long.
Between 1940 and 1950, the warehouse and quay were heavily damaged, because of the war and fire.
Then, the warehouse was restored into two buildings: Fenix I and Fenix II. In the 1980s port activities moved westward and the warehouses fell into disuse.
From 2007, the Katendrecht district transformed from a disadvantaged area into a trendy district, with numerous culinary, creative, and cultural enterprises, where Fenix I forms a great example.
The design of Fenix I consists of three main parts. First, it comprises the existing warehouse — 140m long and 40m deep, with 2 floors of 6-meter free height — that has largely been redeveloped and renovated for mixed-use.
The residential volume on top, an enclosed building block executed as flexible concrete construction, supports an immense steel table structure, that is built right through the warehouse.
It comprises 214 lofts, rental and privately owned, with a high degree of flexibility in size and layout and 2.5 meters deep outdoor spaces all around.
An interlayer consisting of a gigantic spaceframe structure separates the existing warehouse and new volume above.
This layer has a clear height of 4m to 6m and accommodates loft apartments adjacent to a large courtyard garden, which is characterized by light, greenery, and transparency, and forms a strong contrast with the industrial dockyard structures.
It was a conscious decision to use a gallery to encourage social interaction and stimulate an inclusive community.
The galleries connect to a public passageway on street level, that runs through the heart of the original warehouse, connecting the city side with the quay.
The different time layers and dynamics of Fenix become visible and tangible through the many sightlines that bring the various functions together.
The existing warehouse, Fenix Docks, has a mixed-use purpose, including a Culture Cluster.
Mei developed inventive solutions to fit the various required spaces into the existing warehouse structure.
The result is a smart design with both communal and private spaces, where spontaneous meetings between the various organizations and users can take place.
The technical challenge of Fenix I is most evident in its construction.
By placing an immense one-kiloton steel table construction through the existing warehouse and giving it a separate foundation, the monumental warehouse could be largely preserved.
The new building on top is technically kept separate from the warehouse.
Sustainability is an integral part of Fenix I, starting with maximum reuse of the existing building.
Fenix I has been optimized in terms of circularity and biodiversity through a future-proof adaptable building structure, roof gardens, vertical green courtyard facades, rainwater harvesting, high-performance solar control glazing, and high-efficient heat recovery and heat and cold storage.
The distinctive architecture, as well as the exceptional residential product offered by Fenix I, attracts residents and users with a similar mindset.
Shortly after completion, Fenix I shows to contribute to social interaction and solidarity of the neighborhood and to be the home to an inclusive and caring community.
Project: Fenix I Warehouse Renovation
Architects: Mei architects and planners
Design Team: Robert Winkel, Robert Platje, Michiel van Loon, Ruben Aalbersberg, Sean Bos, King Chaichana, Kasia Ephraim, Johan van Es, Danijel Gavranovic, Jan Hoogervorst, Rutger Kuipers, Arjan Kunst, Daam van der Leij, Ruben van der Plas, Riemer Postma, Rob Reintjes, Ed de Rooij, Adriaan Smidt, Lore van de Venne, Roy Wijte, Menno van der Woude, and Reinoud van der Zijde
Client: Heijmans Vastgoed
General Contractor: Heijmans Woningbouw
Construction: ABT
Photographers: Marc Goodwin and Ossip van Duivenbode
