Shouwburgplein, Rotterdam | West 8 >>> Urban stage, for everyone’s an actor

Nowhere else in the world is there a square so relevant to its context. Shouwburgplein, or “Theater Square,” is situated in the heart of Rotterdam, minutes from Europe’s largest port and surrounded by the City Theater, the music hall and the city’s largest movie theater complex.

Despite its central location, Shouwburgplein easily became a parking space, when there wasn’t enough of it elsewhere and it was not until West8 were assigned the project of this public plaza, in 1990, that concerns were raised as to how to better use this central part of town.

When the time came, though, it became clear that an iconic project was needed… One that would restore Rotterdam’s identity as a large port-city.

West8’s Adriaan Geuze identified a simple, yet radical, concept for Shouwburgplein: by recalling the image of the port and freeing up the plaza for unprogrammed public use, the square would soon turn into an iconic, lively city center.

The square’s surface is lifted over the street level to clearly distinguish the pedestrian area and to forcefully react to its former use as a parking lot.
Four oversized red cranes, similar to the ones used in the port to load and unload cargo ships, are placed on the long side of the plaza, and shine 4 distinct spotlights over the public space; the cranes are motored and can be operated by the people freely.
A line of benches, on the border of the square, defines a clear separation from the street behind and provides a sitting area for the audience.
The empty space is deliberately left unprogrammed, so that it is an urban stage with the dynamically evolving skyline as a backdrop. The only exception being a difference in the pavement surface, with three alternative flooring materials: epoxy screed for the entrances to the buildings, wood and rubber for the stage and sitting areas, standard metal panels for the leftover space.

This interactive public space, flexible in use, changes throughout the day and from season to season.

The urban stage was created for festivals and installations, framed by the city skyline and its audience of inhabitants. In addition to that it is used by kids, dancers, skateboarders and for Tai Chi or other open-air activities.

This contemporary urban square design, with custom furniture, iconic crane-like lights that park users can operate, and a function-related hardscape pattern, is a reflection of the Port of Rotterdam.