Although being a listed architectural monument, the former passenger terminal of the Holland America Line [recently renovated] is still a fully functional cruise terminal.
“…an additional storage space to increase the internal area available for luggage handling…”
To accommodate the ever-expanding cruise ships, we designed an additional storage space to increase the internal area available for luggage handling with a public terrace on the first floor.
“…a folding structure that takes up space only at its time of use.”
During the design process we worked hard to maintain the unobstructed sight of the Cruise Terminal from the water and purposefully designed a folding structure that takes up space only at its time of use.
The sturdy steel construction, with only two front columns and a truss, allows for a large span and gives the terrace a floating appearance. To protect the steel columns from driving collisions, they are stood in concrete bollards.
PULS works like an inverted umbrella.
The membrane walls, made of sailing canvas, can be lowered to create a temporary luggage space within four minutes. With the press of a button, it can be folded away once the vessel has departed.
In the evening, light shines through the folded cloth, making the terrace of Café Rotterdam seem to float on light, and it avoids creating a disquieting atmosphere under the terrace. The entire structure was devised by TOMDAVID and further engineered in consultation with Poly-Ned.
Facts
Project name: Pop Up Luggage Space (PULS)
Location: Rotterdam [the Netherlands]
Program: Luggage storage and public terrace
Site area: 350 m2
Credits
Design team: Tom van Odijk, David Baars
Construction: ABT Delft
Project management: BBN Adviseurs
Contractor: Heijmans Rotterdam
Textile design: Poly-Ned
Visualization: De Beeldenfabriek
Photography: Ossip van Duivenbode
