This design project was carried out during the second semester of the IARD specialisation at Brookes, where the theory and knowledge learnt from the first semester was put in to practice. Our site was the Lijnbaan in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
After spending a week there collecting site analysis we worked within groups to develop a regeneration and development strategy and proposals for the site area; undertaking a physical and environmental appraisal of the site with emphasis on responding to the social, cultural and economic realities of the locality.
From the group work I went onto to look at the 1950’s shopping promenade of the Lijnbaan. The shopping promenade was historically the centre for shopping within the city, but with the development of new shopping centres in the area there has been a noticeable shift of people from the Lijnbaan which has become more of a thoroughfare not a place to stop.
Even with the whole building and experience protected under the Monument Status, I did not want the Lijnbaan’s identity to change dramatically. From the analysis collected I wanted to give an enhanced identity and a new layer of content to the existing.