The Maassilo: in the Belly of the Beast

Verisimilitude

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

M.M. de Moes Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Nicholas Clarke Heritage & Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
F.W.A. Koopman Heritage & Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
I. Nevzgodin Heritage & Values - Architecture and the Built Environment (coach)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2021 Marcus de Moes
Concrete Rotterdam Heritage Maassilo Cultural Value Industrial Harbor Grainsilo Verisimilitude
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

12-03-2021

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The Maassilo, an enormous concrete creature, a remnant of the prosperous growth of the Rotterdam harbour, lies unmoved and quenching for thirst on the bare and abandoned quay. Its identity intertwined with Rotterdam’s DNA and its presence is a pure display of structural power. As part of the studio Heritage + Architecture the project demonstrates the constant dialogue of industrial buildings in port cities that deal with environmental issues and identity loss. The project follows an expressive journey that revolves around the power of words and experiences that put the new design on display and exhibit the historical and hidden layers of the building to the public. The result is an affirmation that the Maassilo is a site of cultural heritage even though it doesn’t bolster a monumental status. The thesis shows that the building, although originally designed for industrial activities, can embody the human scale and industrial scale to have a symbiotic relation.