A unique floating office

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) moved its headquarters into the Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR). This one-of-a-kind project is a paragon of state-of-the-art sustainability measures.

Programme
Office
Location
Rotterdam, NL
Size
3606 m² LFA
Timeline
2018 - 2021
Status
Completed

3.606

m² Lettable Floor Area

A next step for the GCA

The Global Center on Adaptation is an international organization which works as a solutions broker to accelerate action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector, to ensure we learn from each other and work together for a climate resilient future. The organization is chaired by Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Center builds on, improves, and accelerates breakthrough solutions that catalyze transformation at scale and at speed. This fits seamlessly with the central thought of the Floating Office Rotterdam design, developed by RED Company.

Co-founder of RED Company, Nanne de Ru:

“A climate-resilient world is one of the biggest challenges for current and future generations. With this building, we want to show that real estate development can also take the initiative in solving these climate-related threats.”

Circularity and Sustainability

The FOR aims for the moon

The terrace has a beautiful view of the Rijnhaven

The mission to mitigate the effects of climate change is embraced by the GCA, the City of Rotterdam, and RED Company. The FOR is a building for a new era. It is an excellent example of circular design: fully recyclable and reusable. In addition, the building is ‘off-grid’ and CO2 neutral. Even if the water level rises as a result of climate change, it will remain afloat.

The FOR can be fully disassembled and contains several sustainability measures
Wooden details make the FOR a masterpiece

Working on water

The idea of a floating island informs the way the outdoor spaces have been organized around the building. On every side and every level, the office spaces are surrounded by generous outdoor terraces. On the south side of the ground floor, the deck leads down to the water, providing a unique connection to the water as well as gathering spaces. The enclosed ‘pool’ ensures a safe area for swimming in the harbor. These kinds of outdoor spaces are essential in ensuring a comfortable and healthy working environment – and also one that is inspiring and energizing.

Frameless windows of 6 by 3 meters flood the building with daylight
The building's grid ensures an elegant and flexible layout

Realizing the dream

FOR’s foundations consist of 15 concrete pontoons, manufactured by three specialized workshops in the Netherlands. Once gathered at a central location, the pontoons were connected and brought to Rotterdam in an epic journey of 80km over the water.

 

FOR’s main structure relies on a simple yet ingenious building system. Like a giant building kit, each FSC-certified CLT element fits together easily and can later be taken apart and reused.

The elements are precision-manufactured off-site and fit together perfectly
The FOR on its way to its final destination in the Rijnhaven

TEAM

Together, the following parties work on the groundbreaking Floating Office Rotterdam, where they adapt to the social, economic, ecological, and technological trends concerning climate change.

  • Developer RED Company
  • Architecture Powerhouse Company
  • Project management DVP
  • Engineering floating element Bartels & Vedder
  • Engineering wood structure Solid Timber
  • Consultancy DWA
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More than a workplace

Utrecht Central Plaza