MVRDV Wins Competition to Design Rotterdam ROCKS! Landmark

MVRDV won a major competition to design Rotterdam ROCKS!, a 240 million euro landmark project located in the Waterkant urban development on the south bank of the Maas in Rotterdam. Conceived by entrepreneur Don Ritzen through his non-profit organization Shift, the project is intended as a paying visitor attraction to accelerate the transition to a green economy.

The design features a stacked landscape of artificial rocks housing a hotel, a conference center, a food court, and a viewing deck. A central immersive experience called the Elysium will promote sustainability and circular living. The project is envisioned as a new world wonder, though construction realities have already led to the removal of some original design elements, including a large waterfall.

Despite its environmental goals, the project has faced criticism from online commentators and architectural historians. Detractors have described the landmark as a costly vanity project.