Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1990-1996

Part of:

People:

UNStudio (archive creator)
Ben van Berkel (architect)
Caroline Bos (urban planner)

Title:

Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1990-1996

Date:

1990-1996

Level of archival description:
Series

Extent and medium:

Approximately 6500 drawings

Approximately 0.72 linear meter of textual records

Approximately 2950 photographic materials

Approximately 594 digital files (150 MB)

1 model

Scope and content:
Series 1, Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1990-1996, documents the design, conception and construction of a third bridge for Rotterdam over the Nieuwe Maas River. The bridge connects the Kop van Zuid neighborhood, located on the south side of the river, to Willemsplein, located on the north side. The bridge is considered as a landmark in Rotterdam’s landscape.

The Erasmus Bridge was a formative project in the thinking of UNStudio. It was originally supposed to be designed by architect Maarten Struijs who was the city of Rotterdam principal architect and who is responsible for the concept of the neighboring Willem Bridge. Ben van Berkel came later into the project and was hired as a designing consultant along with architect Wim Quist. Ben van Berkel proposed design was selected allowing him and his firm, which was called Van Berkel & Bos Architectuurbureau at that time, to supervise the conception and construction of the project, from the original concept to piers design to the selection of every item of bridge furniture such as traffic lights, bridge camera and handrails. The bridge was designed to fit the distinct character and industrial past of Rotterdam.

The construction of this landmark was one component of a larger redevelopment project, coinciding with other major developments in the city of Rotterdam. The goal was to develop a dense urban intervention on the southern shore of the Nieuwe Maas, in the Kop van Zuid neighborhood. This explains the implication of UNStudio in the planning of urban configuration of the neighborhoods on both sides of the river and their work for Spido, a ferry company operating on the Nieuwe Maas, work spaces and parking garage. This commercial building was designed by the firm and also hosts The Grand Café and Jazz Café. This commercial building is integrated to one of the bridge pillar on the north shore of the river.

For the design the firm used AutoCAD to work along with engineers and to conceptualize 3D models. They also used the software to evaluate the circulation flow of drivers, pedestrians and streetcars, measuring its impact on the structure and the urban configuration of the neighborhoods on both sides of the river.

The records contain sketches for bridge and pier design, plans and sections for pier, Spido and bridge, architectural and construction details created by engineering companies for every component of the bridge, from drawbridge, to cable car system, to bridge furnitures such as traffic light, handrails and cameras and photographs documenting the research for precedent and the original configuration of the neighborhoods on both sides of the river. The record contains AutoCAD plans, details and sections for both the bridge and Spido parking garage.

The records also contain one physical model: a small scale plastic, glass and metal model of the bridge.

Reference number:

AP175.S1

Arrangement:

The files in this series are not arranged.

Conditions governing access:

Digital material can only be accessed on-site via CCA's digital archives access interface. Please contact Reference at ref@cca.qc.ca for more information. Access by appointment only.

Conditions governing reproduction:

For copyright information or permission to reproduce material from the fonds, please contact the CCA (reproductions@cca.qc.ca).

Location:

Rotterdam Netherlands

Language of material:

Dutch

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