Neutelings Riedijk Architects
Encyclopedia
Neutelings Riedijk Architecten is an architecture firm based in Rotterdam
, Netherlands
, founded by Willem-Jan Neutelings and Michiel Riedijk
.
The work of Neutelings-Riedijk Architects has been characterized as having a sculptural, often anthropomorphic quality and a playfulness of form while following a clear rationality in programming and context. Because of the public nature of most of the firm's work, Neutelings and Riedijk see this sculptural quality as a way to communicate the building's role within its urban or social context.
One of the firm's first buildings was the Veenman Printworks in Ede, Netherlands
. The firm's rational approach to space planning can clearly be seen in this project, in which a central open-air courtyard separates the building into its two basic programmatic elements: the printing operations and the administrative functions. The building is wrapped in a skin composed of glass tiles, each with screen-printed
characters on the back of each panel. The logo of the company (the letters Va) literally act as a column, announcing the entrance of the building while supporting a portion of the upper floor. The entire envelope was intended to act as part of the graphic identity for the printing firm.
Widely acclaimed is the Shipping and Transport College in Rotterdam
, completed in 2005. Like the Veenman Printworks, the sculptural form and graphic quality of the skin are intended to act as a communications device enveloping rigorously-conceived programmatic elements. The building sits at the southeast corner of the Lloydspier, a reclaimed pier
now undergoing redevelopment. The design of the building takes many of its cues from the shipping industry, using blue and white corrugated panels in a checkerboard pattern that evoke the image of stacked intermodal container
s widely seen at the Port of Rotterdam
. An auditorium is cantilever
ed from the top floor, offering views of the Maas River and Europort
below.
Neutelings-Riedijk was chosen to redesign the campus of the Cincinnati Art Museum
in Cincinnati, Ohio. The project includes over 50,000 additional square feet and the remodelling of existing buildings on the campus. The proposal is expected to be unveiled in 2008. It will be the firm's first project in the United States.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, founded by Willem-Jan Neutelings and Michiel Riedijk
Michiel Riedijk
Michiel Riedijk studied architecture at the Technical University Delft. He is cofounder of the Architecture Office of Neutelings Riedijk Architects in Rotterdam. Since 2007 he is professor in Architecture “Public Building” at the Technical University in Delft.Michiel Riedijk was a guest professor...
.
Work and design philosophy
One of the firm's first buildings was the Veenman Printworks in Ede, Netherlands
Ede, Netherlands
' is a municipality and a town in the center of the Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland.- Population centres :Community :* Bennekom: 14.749* De Klomp: 508* Deelen: 50* Ede : 67.812* Ederveen: 3.167* Harskamp: 3.464...
. The firm's rational approach to space planning can clearly be seen in this project, in which a central open-air courtyard separates the building into its two basic programmatic elements: the printing operations and the administrative functions. The building is wrapped in a skin composed of glass tiles, each with screen-printed
Screen-printing
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate...
characters on the back of each panel. The logo of the company (the letters Va) literally act as a column, announcing the entrance of the building while supporting a portion of the upper floor. The entire envelope was intended to act as part of the graphic identity for the printing firm.
Widely acclaimed is the Shipping and Transport College in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, completed in 2005. Like the Veenman Printworks, the sculptural form and graphic quality of the skin are intended to act as a communications device enveloping rigorously-conceived programmatic elements. The building sits at the southeast corner of the Lloydspier, a reclaimed pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
now undergoing redevelopment. The design of the building takes many of its cues from the shipping industry, using blue and white corrugated panels in a checkerboard pattern that evoke the image of stacked intermodal container
Intermodal container
An intermodal container is a standardized reusable steel box used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system...
s widely seen at the Port of Rotterdam
Port of Rotterdam
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, located in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. From 1962 until 2004 it was the world's busiest port, now overtaken by first Shanghai and then Singapore...
. An auditorium is cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
ed from the top floor, offering views of the Maas River and Europort
Europort
Europort may refer to*Europort Ltd - a UK consultancy firm specialising in the Maritime and International Public Financial Management Sectors*Europoort - part of the Port of Rotterdam*Europorte - A rail freight subsidiary of Eurotunnel...
below.
Neutelings-Riedijk was chosen to redesign the campus of the Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. Founded in 1881, it was the first purpose-built art museum west of the Alleghenies. Its collection of over 60,000 works make it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Midwest.Museum founders debated locating...
in Cincinnati, Ohio. The project includes over 50,000 additional square feet and the remodelling of existing buildings on the campus. The proposal is expected to be unveiled in 2008. It will be the firm's first project in the United States.
Selected projects
- Veenman Printworks, Ede, NetherlandsEde, Netherlands' is a municipality and a town in the center of the Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland.- Population centres :Community :* Bennekom: 14.749* De Klomp: 508* Deelen: 50* Ede : 67.812* Ederveen: 3.167* Harskamp: 3.464...
; Completed 1996. - Minnaert University Building, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht UniversityUtrecht University is a university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors....
, UtrechtUtrecht (city)Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
, Netherlands; completed 1997. - Fire Station, Maastricht, Netherlands; completed 1999.
- Shipping and Transport College, Rotterdam, Netherlands; completed 2005.
- Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, Hilversum, NetherlandsHilversumis a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages...
; completed 2006. - Cincinnati Art MuseumCincinnati Art MuseumThe Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. Founded in 1881, it was the first purpose-built art museum west of the Alleghenies. Its collection of over 60,000 works make it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Midwest.Museum founders debated locating...
Campus, Cincinnati, Ohio; not yet completed.