Little C: A piece of New York, on the edge of downtown Rotterdam

At the head of the Coolhaven in Rotterdam, between the Erasmus MC and the Hogeschool Rotterdam, construction is underway on Little C, a special living/working area with 315 lofts and apartments ranging from 48 to 296 m², 7,500 m² of workspaces, a parking garage with 246 parking spaces and 2,200 m² of other (plinth) facilities and hospitality.

Text | Lieke van Zuilekom    Image | Sandra Koning

With sturdy brick facades, large windows, expressive steel railings and walkways connecting the various buildings, the area exudes the atmosphere of New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood. The abundance of greenery, the various squares, the hip, small-scale restaurants and the new Coolhaven Park also give Little C a relaxed, intimate urban character. The new building was designed by architect Jaakko van 't Spijker, in collaboration with landscape designer Cor Geluk and Bert van Breugel of INBO. ERA Contour and J.P. van Eesteren are jointly developing and building the lofts and apartments, offices, workplaces, restaurants and studios, which will be spread over a total of fifteen buildings. In addition, both TBI companies are responsible for the area design.

Little C is being built on one of the last free building sites on the edge of Rotterdam's inner city. A location characterized by traffic lanes, lots of concrete, a streetcar track and a large sandbox, which previously housed the parking garage of the Erasmus MC and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. "Our ambition was to turn this desolate location into a high-quality and pleasant residential and residential area, which would reconnect with the rest of the urban fabric," says Job van Zomeren, director of ERA Contour. "In the development and design phase, we were explicitly looking for a strong, own identity. We wanted to create a neighborhood where residents can meet each other, but also an example of how to develop in a high density without it becoming anonymous. Crucial to this is the construction of the park at the front, which flows into the green Heemraadssingel and extends to the water of the Coolhaven."

New York style

The tramway on G.J. de Jonghweg has been removed and the lanes narrowed. On the busy side of the Maas Tunnel, a shielding, L-shaped building was created with four residential/work towers and several small passages, placing Little C in the lee of the road traffic. Within this, eleven smaller towers were erected, surrounding three shared residential plazas. Building heights of 5 to 11 layers were chosen, allowing the sun to reach all the courtyards. "Tough facades with red-brown brickwork and large window frames with robust, black window frames give the area an authentic and industrial character," Van Zomeren said. "Moreover, the 'New York style' architecture is carried through in the natural stone plinths, imposing building entrances, rough 'village' paving, street signs and steel emergency stairs and fencing designed specifically for this project. Cables along and between facades allow greenery to grow upward, creating atmospheric, soothing underpasses. Combined with the many amenities, Little C will be the perfect living environment not only for singles and first-time buyers, but also for seniors and families, who were closely involved in the planning process."

The lion's share of the owner-occupied and mid-rent homes are finished as lofts. "With this, our raw, urban design vision is also carried through to the inside of the homes, which have been given an open structure, minimal walls and doors and clean concrete walls," Van Zomeren says. All 209 mid-rent apartments have been purchased by investor Bouwinvest, which has embraced the concept of ERA Contour and J.P. van Eesteren to the maximum extent possible. In addition, 30 guest rooms and studios have been furnished for Family House Daniel den Hoed, enabling cancer patients and their families to be close to each other and support each other during treatment at Erasmus MC. A footbridge across the 's-Gravendijkwal provides a quick and direct connection to the medical center. 

Phased delivery

The Family House will be completed in September. In the following six months, all residential towers will also be delivered in phases. In spring 2021, ERA Contour and J.P. van Eesteren will complete the design of the inner area and the Municipality of Rotterdam will start the construction of the Coolhaven Park, Van Zomeren says. "Moreover, we have recently started the development of the Parkhaven, which will allow us to logically connect the area with Het Park."

Project info

'Smart home is popular'

As a trusted co-maker, Van den Pol Elektrotechniek is active on several ERA Contour residential projects. "At Little C, we are responsible for the complete E-facilities, videophone and data installation," says Bob Oostendorp, Business Unit Leader Residential Construction. "Smart LED lighting contributes to sustainability. We also take care of the fire alarm protection of the escape routes."

Little C is characterized by great variety. "Apartments, lofts, studios: no home is the same," he said. A number of residents opted for the smart home concept offered by Van den Pol. "This package is becoming increasingly popular. Through an app, residents can switch on light scenes and control lights remotely, among other things. A smart home also includes motion sensors that provide energy savings and comfort."

Experience in the city

Little C's residential blocks are in various stages of construction. "Our employees regularly move between the blocks. So construction site logistics and planning listen closely. The urban environment also has an impact. For example, the supply of materials is tightly regulated." Large cities are familiar territory for Van den Pol. "Space on the construction site is often limited, accessibility poses a challenge. But with our experience, we have developed smart solutions for this. Even in busy cities we can get along just fine."

Project info

Approximately 2,000 wooden frame frames and over 7,000 m² of HSB elements for project Little C

Timmerfabriek Frank van Roij does not shy away from technically challenging projects either. This is proven, for example, in project Little C, for which the Goirles-based carpentry factory engineered, produced and delivered approximately 2,000 wooden frame frames and over 7,000 m² of HSB elements for Bouwcombinatie Little C V.O.F. in a very short turnaround time.

The structural frames were digitally drawn out by the extensive engineering department of Timmerfabriek Frank van Roij. "In Goirle, we converted the architectural dimensions and connections into practical and feasible detailing," explains engineer Robert Bierings. "In doing so, we expressly took into account the watertightness and high airtightness requirements in this project."

Some of the frame frames were integrated into the timber frame elements, which also required high airtightness requirements. In addition, Timmerfabriek Frank van Roij had to deal with high RC values and various insulating and vapor retarding foils, which had to be processed and connected correctly. "To enable easy processing of the HSB elements, we also paid a lot of attention to hoistability," says Bierings. "Just before the construction period, the last HSB elements were produced."