Ruud Brouwers - Rotterdam: Metropolis on the Maas

Beschrijving boek

Inclusief foto’s en illustraties.

Engelstalig boek.

Published on the occasion of the opening of the new head offices of the Robeco Groep in Rotterdam.
This edition is produced by the Dutch Architectural Institute.

Foreword

Rotterdam is rapidly developing into a high-rise city whose equal can only be found far beyond the borders of the Netherlands. The skyline of The New Rotterdam has become legendary. In this Metropolis on the Maas the new, almost one hundred metres-high building of the Robeco Groep is a striking presence.
The first foundation of this Robecohuis was laid on 11 November, 1988.
On that occasion the Mayor of Rotterdam, A. Peper, made a speech. This suggests, and rightly so, that this new building concerned not only the Robeco Groep, but Rotterdam too.
This book presents a vision of Rotterdam from a town planning and architectural point of view. It is a city which has a number of buildings by the architect Quist, one of which is our building. If it is true, as is sometimes suggested, that Quist does not erect buildings but is working on an oeuvre, then our head offices is a particularly characteristic element in this.
Three qualities stand out with an architect like Wim Quist. Firstly, there is genuine architecture, that is, artistic creation. Secondly, there is a striking level of perfection. And thirdly, there is durability, as expressed in superior building materials. In a certain sense, these characteristics reflect the culture of our organization.
The Robeco Groep, started more than 60 years ago in Rotterdam, feels itself to be closely involved with the city. That is the reason for this book, published on the occasion of the opening of the new head offices on 4 October, 1991. We have given complete freedom to the author and other people involved in producing this book, to describe the development of The New Rotterdam as they see it. Like Rotterdam, the Robeco Groep will continue to build towards its future. [Prof. dr. P. Korteweg, chairman of Robeco Groep Policy Committee]