Katoenveem Reconnected: The Renovation Design of the Former Cotton Warehouse
X. Yi (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
The former cotton warehouse of the Katoenveem, which is located at the end of a pier within the Rotterdam harbor area, is a listed architecture monument for the cotton industry in the early 20th century. However, the building is no longer in use and decaying in the strong winds and rains now.
There is a clear disconnection of time and space for the building, for the reason that both its original function (cotton storage) and context (industrial complex) have gone. This has resulted in its isolation on the site. Hence there comes the question of how to reclaim its usefulness for the citizens and then relate it to the urban life without threatening its major historical value. Apparently there will be conflicts between its old and new roles for the city, original industrial function and public function in the future, old structure and new structure, etc. My goal for the design is to find a balance point for these conflicts and hopefully increase the total value of the building for the area and its users.