ZOHO

ZOHO is an inner-city redevelopment project located in the heart of Rotterdam. Once an industrial area, the neighbourhood has evolved into a vibrant and creative hotspot within the city. The development includes approximately six hundred homes, consisting of social housing, mid-market rental units, and privately owned residences, as well as a wide range of amenities. The urban plan is structured around three distinct layers: the industrial ‘lab layer’, the green ‘land layer’ and the urban ‘city layer’.

The residential block on Almondestraat is the first stage of this project and is carefully integrated into the existing urban fabric. The block contains 31 homes, organized into six different housing types. Seventeen of these are townhouses which maintain an active relationship with the street. On top of these are another 14 homes, consisting of apartments and maisonettes.

The building’s material expression is clearly divided into two parts. The base level features washed concrete columns and aluminium and glass facades, referencing the monumental Katshoek building by Hugh Maaskant opposite the street.

The apartments on the ‘land layer’ are constructed in red brick referencing their historical context. The stepped massing includes generous balconies and roof terraces. Moreover, it contains a continuous 100-meter-long roof garden, creating a green and liveable environment in the heart of the city.