The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
A little over a month since Rotterdam-based practice MVRDV announced a new temporary urban structure—a 180-step staircase, 29 meters tall and 57 meters long—for the heart of city of Rotterdam, the project has been officially opened. Those who ascend the staircase will find a temporary observation deck looking over Rotterdam Centraal, a rooftop bar, and the temporary reopening of the Kriterion cinema that was last active in the 1960s.
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
The building at the heart of this installation is the Groot Handelsgebouw – one of the first major buildings to be erected following the extensive bombing of Rotterdam in World War II. According to the practice, the scaffolding system used to construct the staircase represents “a nod” to the 75th anniversary of the rebuilding of the city following this disaster.
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
Since the practice first revealed the project they have conceded that West8—another practice based in Rotterdam—created a temporary staircase, also built from scaffolding, which led onto the roof of Las Palmas – a different historic building in the city. MVRDV, who acknowledge that “there are similarities between the two stairs,” have offered credit for the idea to Adriaan Geuze and West 8.
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
© Laurian Ghinitoiu
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
The Staircase on Stationsplein, Rotterdam by MVRDV.. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu
Sig Nordal 