Rotterdam, Lijnbaan

Project Rotterdam, Lijnbaan

In 1949 the construction of the Lijnbaan began: a long open passage for pedestrians in the center of Rotterdam. A special pedestrian zone in the city center was a novelty and attracted much international attention in october 1953, when it was opened. The Lijnbaan was the first shopping mall in the Netherlands and it still enjoys large regional reputation. The design came from the architects Van den Broek and Bakema. More than fifty years later, the old district heating would be replaced and the Lijnbaan gets a more upscale and modern appearance. Following the idea “From Chair to City”by Jaap Bakema, the spiritual father of the Lijnbaan, atelier Quadrat developed a coherent design at all scales for the refurbishment of the Lijnbaan. The radiating pattern of short lines on the stone pavement of basalt and dark granite with light gray stripes is recovered in the seating and even the tree grates. These are custom made by ANÆ, sharp and straight design - in line with the overall concept for the "Fifth Avenue" of Rotterdam.   Exteranl link: http://www.rotterdam.nl/ Date:  Apr.2012