MVRDV has recently completed work on an unusual new building in the form of a stack of winding boxes. The energy-positive project, called Portlantis, houses exhibition spaces and will be dismantled and recycled when its lifespan ends.
Originally unveiled in 2021 as the Port Experience Centre, Portlantis is located in the port of Rotterdam and overlooks the port area and the North Sea.
Stacked boxes
The building measures 3,533 square metres and consists of five stacked boxes, each containing an exhibition space. There is a large atrium in the middle and a restaurant at the top. In the exhibition spaces inside, each level has a different theme. Moreover, they have panoramic windows that offer fine views. Speaking of views, the building also has a rooftop vantage point. A bright red staircase on the outside of the building provides access to each level.
Portlantis is not only an eye-catching beacon, but also a kind of observation tower. Portlantis gives people a way to explore the port. They can see and experience how things are changing in the port, how it relates to the city and how it affects their life in the city.
As mentioned, the end-of-life of the building has already been taken into account. At the end of its life, the façade panels will be returned to the manufacturer as part of an agreement. Recyclable materials have been used wherever possible and the foundation has been designed to leave no lasting traces.
Thanks to an on-site wind turbine, excellent insulation and an energy-efficient design, the building also generates 30% more energy than it actually needs. There is also a grid power supply for when wind power alone is not enough. With Portlantis, MVRDV has added another building to its long list of quirky projects, including the Valley and the Pyramid of Tirana.
