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The modern courtyard

Project specification: Master thesis proposal
Client: TU Delft
Description: Densify Rotterdam Central District, redesign the subsoil and focus on social interactions.
Time: 10 weeks
Role: Masterplanner and urban designer

'Densifying the city by creating 'silent' spots'

Rotterdam Central District, a busy area that connects flows of transport, people and functions. This is the place where the people enter and leave the city. With the densification program, Rotterdam Central District is a challenge.
In this project there is tried to densify the area, but also add quality by looking at (social) sustainability. This is where the courtyard arises. Courtyards are highly densified areas, but maintain the social interaction. We created a network of possible courtyards by looking at the places of improvements and the subsoil conditions. This while remaining the landmarks.

The courtyards all have a modern twist. This fits the identity of Rotterdam as modern city. Therefore, the modern courtyards could be denser. One of these courtyards is the Museum courtyard: The closest one to the central station. The courtyard exists out of a variety of functions in the plinth and in the courtyard itself. All these interventions have both a connection to social interaction and sustainability. This composition creates a soundscape to feel inner peace in the denser becoming city center.