Detention centre Rotterdam Airport a rc h i v o l t a rc h i t e c t e n b v DBFMO – tender (not realised) The new detention centre at Rotterdam Airport was tendered as a DBFMO contract “PPP”. In addition to the construction the tender also concerns installation and maintenance, the operation of the complex for 25 years, including the funding thereof. Archivolt has been commissioned by the K@ der consortium (Dura Vermeer - Imtech) as the architect for the design and as advisor with respect to an integrated approach to design and operation. The result is the product of an intensive dialogue between the Contracting Authority and K@der. From the beginning, the cooperation between the various consultants was focused on an integrated solution. The design offered explicitly an optimum between the spatial programme requirements, the available location, the specific logistical and security requirements on the one hand and the costs on the other hand. elevations photography Ronald van Wieren The invitation to tender implied that it is essential that the tender should be as favourable as possible, which could have caused an underestimation of the architectural execution. In close consultation with the client, we have expressly chosen a solution that offers more than the strict translation of the functional requirements. The chosen spatial solutions and high level of transparency in the design are inspired by a vision of a secure and orderly detention process and a humane living and working environment. The building has the structure of semi-detached pavilions, the shape of which is determined by the living units. These are situated on the top two floors of the complex. All the other facilities are located on the floors below. The building is conceived as one main mass of which the parts are jointed in an articulated style, based on the functional and spatial design. We opted for a strong correlation between exterior, interior, design and layout of the grounds. With the use of materials and colours, a different atmosphere has been created in the various living units, which contributes to the orientation in the complex. Thus an effective functional solution was found and a solution designed to provide a good living environment in the building, not in the least as a result of the daylight coming in from above and the sides. The consortium has focussed on achieving a sustainable comprehensive solution. This was for example demonstrated by the very favourable Greencalq calculation. Among other things through a highly sophisticated climate control of the building and the choice of materials in relation to the maintenance. Detention centre Rotterdam Airport a rc h i v o l t a rc h i t e c t e n b v 2nd floor 1st floor section groundfloor photography Thea van den Heuvel colofon Detention centre Gross surface area 22.000 m² Location Rotterdam Zestienhoven Client Combination Dura Vermeer - Imtech Comission DBFMO - contract Plan preparation 2007 Projectarchitect Martin van Dort Team Frits Toben, Gerhard Venhuizen, Maarten Lever, Mark Ooteman, Eric Smook