Good conversations at atmospheric ARCHITECT@WORK in Rotterdam Ahoy

On Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September 2024, ARCHITECT@WORK took place for the tenth time in Rotterdam Ahoy. With 3,630 visitors, the event was dynamic as ever. An impression.

"Very valuable to discuss directly with architects and interior designers the possibilities of a new material," says Erik Egging of Kerrock by Vink, which is hosting a solid surface presented material that incorporates 10% recycled material. Depending on the variant chosen, that recycled material is invisible or shows up as flakes in the material.

"The layout of the compact stands at ARCHITECT@WORK makes it easy to get into conversation," adds Mathias Verlinden of Ibiza Minerals. They presented a colored micro concrete that can be used to create custom swimming pools that blend seamlessly into stairs and terraces. Thereby, the material can be shaped by hand into the right form. shapen. "ARCHITECT@WORK gave us the opportunity to present this product to Dutch architects. We received many enthusiastic responses to it; architects see its potential."

"The atmosphere at ARCHITECT@WORK is also just really good," Verlinden continues. "The tasteful décor, the good and free catering, the many seating areas...", he knows of no comparable event and has just co-signed with Ibiza Minerals to also present the product at ARCHITECT@WORK Berlin and Architect@Work Zurich.

Lighting manufacturer Viabizzuno showed its modular lighting system at ARCHITECT@WORK. "When I show how this allows you to put together your own lighting for a project, I see the eyes of architects and interior designers light up," says Amedeo Musazzi of Viabizzuno. "Lighting like this you really have to live experience."

Towards a new building culture

The lectures at ARCHITECT@WORK presented by Architectenweb painted a picture of the new building culture we are moving toward. A building culture in which building with wood and other fibers is strategically combined with building with earth (Studio Nauta), in which as many building parts and building materials as possible are reused (Nudus), in which simple building materials are manipulated in such a way that a detailed and tectonic architecture arises (Bovenbouw), in which nature around, on and to buildings is given a place (Copijn Landschapsarchitecten) and in which urban tissues are kneaded to bring people together, in the case of high-rise buildings also in the air (VMX Architects).

Instead of the built environment coming at the expense of the planet, we need to move toward a modus operandi that is in symbiosis with the planet, argued architect Ron Bakker of PLP Architecture. He noticed a growing activism in himself on that point, but also indicated that transitions take time. Over the past ten years, his design practice has revolved around making buildings energy neutral. The next ten years will be needed to drastically reduce the footprint of the building materials used. Starting in 2035, we will then be able to use an ever-widening stream of zero carbon buildings will be realized, he expects.

Back in metropolitan Amsterdam by 2025

ARCHITECT@WORK is held alternately in Rotterdam and in the metropolitan region of Amsterdam. After this edition in Rotterdam Ahoy, ARCHITECT@WORK will take place again next year in Amsterdam in the fall.

Architectenweb is media partner of ARCHITECT@WORK The Netherlands