Valckensteyn
A Beacon in Timber
Valckensteyn is the first mass timber residential building in Rotterdam, merging innovative timber construction with a strong social mission. In collaboration with our client, Woonstad Rotterdam, we provided 82 affordable rental homes in an iconic post-war district, making nature-inclusive living in wood accessible to all.
Valckensteyn proves that affordable housing and sustainable construction can go hand in hand. The result combines high living quality with refined architecture.’
SP
👻New over Old
👻Homage to Innovation
👻Homage to Innovation
Valckensteyn plays a key role in the sustainable redevelopment of the post-war Pendrecht neighborhood on the southern edge of Rotterdam. It is built on the site of the former Valckensteyn building, which shaped Pendrecht’s streetscape from 1971 to 2012. At the time, this high-rise by architect Kranendonk was a novelty for the area, with two staggered wings rising 10 and 14 stories high, significantly contributing to alleviating the severe post-war housing shortage.
The characteristic staggered volume is reflected in our new design. The building also connects to the clear urban planning structure of Pendrecht, designed by Lotte Stam-Beese, in which high-rise and low-rise buildings are carefully placed around green, collective outdoor spaces that give the neighborhood its open and spacious character.
We are proud that this development not only enhances the quality of life in the neighborhood but also reinforces the social and spatial fabric of the city as a whole.’
👻Form meets Function
👻Sustainable Urban Renewal
👻Sustainable Urban Renewal
The ecological impact extends beyond the building, which is surrounded by a green, park-like garden designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design. West-facing balconies provide broad views and a strong connection to nature. The design also includes biodiversity features such as bird and bat nest boxes integrated into the façade.
👻Nodding
to History
to History
👻Nodding
to History
to History
The base of the building is clad in travertine, a characteristic post-war material that subtly references the neighborhood’s history. Above, demountable fiber cement panels in light brown and anthracite echo the timber structure both visually and functionally, while supporting long-term maintenance. Together, these materials enhance the building’s sustainable and circular identity.
We redefine affordable living by providing all homes with exceptional royal balconies, nearly 2 meters deep and 14 m² in size.’
SdM
👻A Circular Resurrection
👻A Circular Resurrection
With the exception of the ground floor and elevator/stair cores, Valckensteyn’s main structure is made entirely of CLT (Cross Laminated Timber). The design of the new Valckensteyn complex combines innovative materials with elegance and cost efficiency, thereby creating an efficient and highly sustainable residential building for the middle rent sector. Within the distinctive volume, the CLT elements are meticulously optimized in thickness to minimize material waste.
Exquisite Efficiency
Ground Floor — The plinth establishes an outside-inside relationship.
1st to 12th Floor — Homes are efficiently laid out with apartment-wide balconies.
Section — The design strength lies in its repetitive nature, that not only makes it highly efficient, but allowed us to focus on maximizing the quality and sophistication of its detailing.
Site Plan — Surrounding the building is a nature-inclusive, lush green park.
