The entire city of Rotterdam was devastated when the theatre of the popular Plaswijckpark went up in flames on 27 January. When it turned out that the fire had been set, the people of Rotterdam did what they do best: they rolled up their sleeves and together raised enough funds to realize a quick renovation. This resulted in numerous heart-warming initiatives and an eventual donation of over €200,000. Four months after the notorious fire, the play park is preparing to reopen with a brand-new feature on the spot where the theatre used to be. From now on, children will be able to play to their heart's content on this spot with interactive play equipment such as a football wall, a dance system and educational game pillars.

 

The devastating fire took place only four months ago and Plaswijckpark is already back with both feet on the ground. Partly due to the generous donations and unprecedented support from outside, the park managed to recover very quickly. This has ensured that the site of the old theatre no longer needs to be vacant: three new interactive games have been installed, which are a true play delight for young and old. After all, the playground equipment Sona, Memo and Sutu physically challenge everyone in different ways and stimulate children to play together. With the Sona, for instance, it is impossible not to move. The Sutu is an updated version of the old wall and its 16 luminous surfaces invite children to kick a ball about. Finally, the seven game pillars on the round playing floor of the educational Memo motivate children to run, to count and to cooperate while playing.

 

The interactive games temporarily replace the burnt down theatre. The board of Plaswijckpark is still discussing a permanent, covered interpretation.  Apart from the play equipment, the popular blue blocks have also been bought again and are back in Plaswijckpark.

 

 

Plaswijckpark is a play park for young and old and was founded in 1923. The Rotterdam park aims to be a true play paradise for children; from romping around all day, playing with ropes, splashing in the water, riding bikes or racing around on go-karts to quiet walks through the green trails and building dams in the adventure stream. In addition, the park offers a real zoo where the children can get acquainted with many animal species. Plaswijckpark is situated at the Bergse Achterplas, between the districts Schiebroek and Hillegersberg.

 

 

Located in Amsterdam's Jordaan since 2005, Kahmann Gallery has developed a fruitful relationship with the city of Rotterdam in recent years. The successful 2016 edition of the Haute Photographie fair nourished this burgeoning partnership and will continue to flourish during Rotterdam Art Week 2022. “With this expansion, we give shape to the warm bond between the many relations in Rotterdam that we would like to explore further,” says Roy Kahmann.

 

The new space is located at Keilestraat 9, in the heart of the Merwe-Vierhaven project. The building covers 14,500 m² and is designed by the architectural firm GROUP A in collaboration with Studio ADAMS. The building received a nomination for the Rotterdam Architecture Prize and, in the coming years, will be developed into a dynamic ecosystem, where living, working, creativity and entrepreneurship merge. An excellent opportunity and suitable match for Kahmann Gallery.

 

 

The design of the new location will be done in collaboration with Brandsing Meubelmakers, located in the same building. The space comprises of 150 m² and will be devoted to compact and lively events and exhibitions. The first screening is a duo exhibition by photographers, Barry Kornbluh and Rutger ten Broeke, who have been working with Kahmann Gallery since its inception. Their impressive oeuvre of black and white creations, composed over the past five decades, focuses the lens on the recurring theme of nudity.

 

Barry Kornbluh (1952) has American roots and moved to New York in 1977, where he worked at the Magnum Photos archives. There, he developed his own visual style: poetic and blurry, guided by Lisette Model, resulting in dark, dreamy photos with a coarse grain. He assisted several photographers and documented the New York jazz scene. In the 1990s, he moved to Amsterdam, where he further refined his recognizable, mysterious signature.

 

 

Rutger ten Broeke (1944) is known for his classic black and white works in which the naked body is central. He explores the relationship between the female body and nature, resulting in timeless and harmonious photos. Ten Broeke is known for his analog work and very high-quality prints.

 

 

Rotterdam, 11 May 2021 - Hostel chain Stayokay and the Marines Museum have joined forces to offer a rather unique experience in one of the rooms in Stayokay Rotterdam. The Marines Room for families is completely dedicated to the world of marines, complete with climbing wall and a lookout post over the Maas bridges and the White House. The four-person room is marketed towards families with children aged six and over who want to combine a visit to Rotterdam's toughest museum with a (themed) overnight stay in the city.

 

The Marines' Room is a real experience for both big and small adventurers. The room is completely decorated in the theme and has its own shower and toilet. There is a double bed for the parents, a bunk bed for the children and a separate seating area. The room also has its own lookout point. Moreover, there are ropes, rings and a climbing wall.

 

 

Stayokay enjoys often works in partnership with museums in order to make culture accessible to more people. For example, in 2017 and 2018, the Miffy Room, in partnership with the Miffy Museum, and the Railway Museum Room, in partnership with the Railway Museum, were opened in Stayokay Utrecht.

 

 

 

ROTTERDAM, 21 April 2021 - The innovative Rotterdam residential building SAWA has received the Green GOOD DESIGN™ Award 2021. The building was designed by Mei architects and planners and commissioned by Nice Developers and ERA Contour. In November last year, SAWA also won the first prize of the ARC20 Innovation Award. Although the building is still in the design phase, it is already in the limelight.

 

The Green GOOD DESIGN™ Award, presented by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, is an international prize that is awarded annually to exceptional projects that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable world. SAWA was praised for its innovative, daring and circular concept, making it a deserved winner in the Architecture category.

 

SAWA will be the first all-wood 50-metre-high residential building in Rotterdam. Exceptional about the project is that the building is constructed in CLT (cross laminated timber), including the main supporting structure. The building's appearance is distinguished by the generous green terraces and is designed entirely from the perspective of plants and animals, thus enhancing the biodiversity of the neighbourhood and the city. This 'healthiest building in the Netherlands' will create a place that adds value to the neighbourhood by stimulating communities, a common deck, shared functions and connection with existing local initiatives. The future residents are actively involved in the developments of SAWA and regular participation meetings are organized. The official sale is scheduled for the summer of this year, and the aim is to start construction of SAWA before the end of 2021.

 

 

GOOD DESIGN™ was founded in 1950 in Chicago by Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann Jr. The goal was to gain a wider public understanding for modern design. As in 1950, when modern design took a new direction in design history, Green GOOD DESIGN™ now seeks to influence consumer habits, restructure the production process, influence the design of cities and public spaces and raise awareness about our limited global resources and the disappearance of clean air, clean earth and clean water. The founders of GOOD DESIGN™ in the 1950s introduced modern design with passion, innovation and revolutionary zeal. With Green GOOD DESIGN®, today's organizers strive to do the same.