UTRECHT, 18 April 2007 – Her Majesty the Queen officially opened Las Palmas Culture on the Wilhelmina Pier in Rotterdam on Wednesday, 18 April. The opening followed the thorough renovation of Las Palmas, the former workshop of the Holland-America Line (HAL). The reconstruction project was carried out by the Bouwcombinatie Strukton-Jurriëns construction combination on the instructions of OVG Project Development.
In December 2005, Bouwcombinatie Strukton-Jurriëns began redeveloping the former workshop building into a completely refurbished, characteristic cultural and business centre. Aside from offering space to cultural institutions such as the Dutch Photo Museum (Nederlands Fotomuseum), SKVR Image Factory and LP II, Las Palmas houses a restaurant and selection of commercial enterprises. This unique blend of institutions and companies draws attention to the visual arts and creativity.
Benthem Crouwel Architects bears responsibility for designing the Las Palmas reconstruction. The building was originally designed and built in 1953 by Rotterdam-based architects Van den Broek and Bakema. The reconstruction project focused on restoring the characteristic features of the building. For example, the building facade once again has its bright white finish. The steel frames have been replaced and fitted with double glazing to retain the building’s looks. Las Palmas consists of four storeys and a basement level. Additionally, a two-story office penthouse has been added above the roof.
Transparent inner partitions will enable visitors and users to survey the building’s original layout. The striking octagonal columns have been blasted and cleaned to accentuate their natural concrete colour. What’s more, the building’s original technical systems have been removed and replaced with completely new systems for air-conditioning, heating, electricity, sanitary facilities and sprinklers. The car lift has also been restored to its original state to transport vehicles to the top of the building.
Bouwcombinatie Strukton-Jurriëns background information
In order to carry out the Las Palmas reconstruction project, Strukton Bouw & Vastgoed (construction and real estate) and Jurriëns pooled their areas of expertise into the resourceful Strukton-Jurriëns construction combination.
Strukton Bouw & Vastgoed forms part of Strukton Groep NV and is active throughout all phases of the construction process from initiative, development and realisation to integral building management. With the strength to carry out complex projects, a keen eye on meeting customer requirements, delivering shorter construction times, ongoing operations and sustainable construction services. The rezoning and reconstruction of historical buildings is one of Strukton Bouw & Vastgoed’s areas of expertise. For example, the Strukton operating company is recognised for ‘de Inktpot’ (HGB III, the original headquarters of Dutch Railways) in Utrecht, the ‘Groot Handelsgebouw’ in Rotterdam and the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. For further information see www.strukton.com.
Building contractor H.J. Jurriëns BV is a fully independent construction company that carries out projects in the building and public works sector. Jurriëns describes its core activity as follows: ‘working on the existing building stock in the Netherlands’; in the broadest possible sense of the word. Examples of other renovation projects successfully concluded by Jurriëns include the Hermitage in Amsterdam, the ‘Museum Catharijneconvent’ in Utrecht and the ‘Koninklijke Schouwburg’ theatre in The Hague. For further information see www.jurriens.nl.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Note for the editorial team:
For further information, please contact:
Strukton Bouw & Vastgoed BV
Bert Nollen
Tel: +31(0)30-248 6437
Cell: +31(0)6-22 93 37 70
E-mail: bnollen@strukton.com
www.strukton.com
Aannemingsbedrijf H.J. Jurriëns BV
Evert Jurriëns
Tel: +31(0)30-241 2912
E-mail: e.jurriens@jurriens.nl
www.jurriens.nl