Team
Studio trip to Rotterdam

Posted on 13 October 2023

Our annual studio trip inspires and brings the team together while stimulating discourse about design. This year we hopped on a Eurostar direct to Rotterdam, a city with an uncompromising attitude to modern architecture.

Day one took in the Timmerhuis by OMA, a tour of the rooftop gardens which bring together the residents of the Groene Kapp housing project followed by a well-earned drink at Fenix Docks designed by Mei Architects, part of the Rijnhaven masterplan.

Day two started with a visit to the 1930’s Van Nelle Factory. The innovative door closers, hygienic curved tiles and the ‘his and hers’ stairs were loved by all and would be a perfect location for a future Bell Phillips Rotterdam studio…

Not so fresh smelling was the floating farm nearby, home for 38 cows providing milk butter and cheese for local communities. Whilst we loved the self sufficiency, there was some debate as to whether cows need to float. A high speed water taxi then took us to Little C, Coolhaven by Juurlink and Geluk, a high density, mid-rise development which divided opinion.

We ended at The Depot, designed by MVRDV and the world’s first publicly-accessible art storage facility. The impressive mirrored plant pot exterior provided entertaining photo opportunities while inside mind-bending glass staircases criss-crossed the seven storey atrium lined by inventive display cases for art, some forming glass bridges for those without acrophobia to walk over. Once at the top we were rewarded with spectacular views and a beautifully peaceful space to relax and unwind from a busy day.