Koolhaas’ practice to design mixed-use development in home town

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture has released its designs for the Coolsingel mixed-use development in the heart of Rotterdam.

A historic bank building dating back to WWII will form the centrepiece of the 120,000 sq m cube-shaped development, with office, apartments, and leisure space surrounding it. The developer is Multi Vastgoed.

Floris Alkemade, OMA partner, said: “OMA considers it a challenge to integrate these valuable buildings within the design. The bank will be given a prominent role in the new plan”.

The Dutch practice, which is also revamping the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, is headquartered in Rotterdam.

Construction is set to begin in 2011, with completion anticipated for 2013.

Alkemade is leading the project with practice founder Rem Koolhaas.

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