MVRDV to build vibrant office district in rotterdam with donald judd-inspired facades

MVRDV unveils new 3D office neighborhood for Rotterdam

MVRDV has been granted approval to construct Schieblocks, a 47,000-square-meter office complex poised to become the largest privately developed new office building currently underway in the Netherlands. Rising 61 meters along the central railway, the project features 11 colorful stacked blocks, each with facades that integrate brick made from recycled materials and Building Integrated Photovoltaic panels. Inspired by Donald Judd’s renowned furniture series, the bold composition creates a vibrant ‘slice’ through Rotterdam, introducing dynamic color, texture, and innovative materials to a vertically layered urban environment.

all images courtesy of MVRDV

Schiekadeblok & Rotterdam stories embedded in color and form

Situated in the Schiekadeblok, a post-war district that has become a creative hotspot filled with businesses, bars, and clubs, MVRDV’s design pays tribute to the area’s protected character. The Dutch firm organizes the long, narrow building into four horizontal sections, each featuring a unique plinth and one or two blocks above. This composition reflects the scale and rhythm of the surrounding reconstruction-era architecture. The sculpted upper volumes are carefully shaped to respect the sun’s angle, ensuring that residential areas across the railway remain free from unwanted shadows and exemplifying a thoughtful approach to urban densification.

Each block’s distinctive combination of windows and colors references significant Rotterdam landmarks. For example, one block features bay windows inspired by Huig Maaskant’s Citrusveiling building, paired with the striking yellow of the former Luchtsingel bridge. Another incorporates the sandstone color of the city hall with octagonal windows reminiscent of Hofplein 19, together spelling out ‘010’—Rotterdam’s telephone code. Through these choices, the building becomes a living catalogue of the city’s architectural heritage.

Schieblocks, a 47,000-square-meter office complex for Rotterdam

Public energy at the plinth and on the roof

The transparent ground floor is designed as a lively public space, offering amenities such as a concept store, a bakery, and a bike café, all seamlessly connected to a three-level underground parking facility. At the west end of the complex, an immovable historic parking ramp from the adjacent Central Post building is preserved and enclosed in glass, becoming the centerpiece of the new Wokkelbar—a spiral-shaped venue that embodies Rotterdam’s raw, improvisational character.

Above, a rooftop restaurant and a two-story cultural space extend into an expansive green landscape designed by Juurlink & Geluk. This rooftop features water-retaining surfaces, spiral walkways, and a solar-panel pergola, blending sustainability with social activity. Collectively, these elements reflect what MVRDV describes as a ‘second reconstruction’ for Rotterdam—one that is driven by creativity, environmental awareness, and bold design.

the vibrant design draws inspiration from Donald Judd’s iconic furniture series