Afarai

Rotterdam, the world’s biggest port, a dutch modernist utopia and a city struggling to create a metropolitan identity. World War II left Rotterdam devastated, a dramatic scene that challenged the Dutch Modernist to put their building ideologies to the test. The results were a functionalist city without grandeur. In order to get ready for the twenty-first century Rotterdam strives to claim a place in the international network of cities. What better way to do this than develop a skyline, unlike anything one has ever seen, in holland that is. Rotterdam’s new identity has been build upon the notion of being a high-rise city.

But what does being a high-rise city really mean? especially since the number of high-rises is limited and the height of these high-rises doesn’t come close to any of the contemporary international high-rises? To discover Rotterdam true identity one must take a look at the cities downtown area. poverty, neglect, and derelict buildings are an important part of reality here. The population of downtown Rotterdam consists of a very diverse collection of nationalities. The downtown area houses little wealth and business, and is one of many areas in the city that are in a state of decay. Cruising through Rotterdam on a hot summer day can result in many reveries about the development of Holland’s one and only ‘Chocolate’ city. The architecture of downtown Rotterdam can be grimy at times, but the city itself boasts a vibrant spirit infused with tropical flavor.

Due to not being represented in the cities architecture, people have grown accustomed to appropriate the space that they feel is necessary to portray their personality. AFARAI envisioned a drive-in shopping mall in the multi-ethnic hart of Rotterdam that caters to the specific needs and fashion of the couleur locale. The facades are all advertising and add to the urban information culture, so often despised by Dutch city planners. Rotterdam Represent!