The Van Nelle Fabriek
The famous Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam was recognised in 2014 by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. This icon of the Modern Movement in the Netherlands was designed by Jan Brinkman and Leen van der Vlught. As proponents of this movement, they embraced the possibilities offered by industry and construction technology, such as prefabrication of steel, concrete and glass. Like the principal, they aimed for a clean and functional factory building. A healthy working environment with a focus on light, air and efficiency.
The “Glass Palace” on the Schie canal was originally designed for the Van Nelle company for the purpose of processing and packaging of coffee, tea and tobacco. These typical “colonial goods” were inseparably associated with the dynamic port of Rotterdam and its age-gold global trade.
At the time, the Spaanse Polder was a deliberate choice as a high-visibility location. The neon letters on the roof, incorporated in the design, fitted in with this. After the departure of the production company (in 1998) these letters were retained, as was the transparent architecture of the production buildings. Following careful adaptive re-use and restoration, the Van Nellefabriek is currently in use by the creative industry, as office space for conferences, exhibitions and other events.