Katoenveem is a former cotton warehouse in the Merwe-Vierhavens area of Rotterdam. As a harbour heritage site it has a high cultural and historical value due to its unique past function and the systems that were installed for the transshipment of cotton, but also for the innovati
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Katoenveem is a former cotton warehouse in the Merwe-Vierhavens area of Rotterdam. As a harbour heritage site it has a high cultural and historical value due to its unique past function and the systems that were installed for the transshipment of cotton, but also for the innovative construction method that was used and the resulting overall architectural setup. Unfortunately, after the building lost its function about five decades ago, it has not been maintained and therefore has deteriorated significantly. The aim of this graduation work is to propose a possible solution for the question on how the building can be adapted in order to implement a cultural program, while preserving the buildings' historical narrative, as well as maintaining the possibility to adapt to future needs. The resulting design is a proposal of the architectural interventions needed to adapt Katoenveem. In the design the focus is on the short term perspective in the process of future development of the building, implementing a adaptable, demountable and therefore reversible modular system to create ateliers for the makers, innovators and creatives to be attracted to the location.