Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR) is the brand new headquarters of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA). This spring the construction of the energy-neutral and self-sufficient structure, constructed entirely out of timber, will start. The GCA will be housed in the Rijnhaven in Rotterdam for a period of 5 to 10 years. The design boasts a wide range of state-of-the-art sustainability measures, such as heat exchange through the harbor water.
The GCA launched with the mandate to encourage the development of measures to manage the effects of climate change through technology, planning and investment. The GCA moves communities, cities and countries to proactively prepare for the disruptive effects of climate change with urgency, fierce determination and foresight. The Commission is led by former UN-Chairman Ban Ki-moon, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and World Bank CEO, Kristalina Georgieva.
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In September 2018 the Municipality of Rotterdam proudly welcomed the GCA and has since worked hard to create a unique and truly exceptional building for this prestigious institute. FOR is expected to be opened by the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Mayor of Rotterdam Aboutaleb, during the international Summit on Adaptation in the fall of 2020.
FOR will be an exemplary building for the mission of sustainability, climate adaptive and circular engineering that both the GCA and the city of Rotterdam and Powerhouse Company embrace. In spring 2020 the construction of FOR will take place at the Van Leeuwen grounds at the Maashaven from where it will be shipped to the Rijnhaven. The use of wood as a main construction material, reduces the carbon footprint of the building dramatically.
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The overhanging floors of the building create permanent sun shading which allows for large windows with plenty of daylight flooding into the office floors. Besides the offices, the floating building will also house a restaurant with a large outdoor terrace, with as a special addition a floating swimming pool in the Maas river. Powerhouse Company is responsible for this project, from sketch to construction.
DVP is involved as projectmanager of developer RED Company. The construction is designed by Bartels & Vedder in combination with Solid Timber. DWA is the advisor of installations, fire safety and building physics. FOR Building will be constructed by combination of Valleibouw and Osnabrugge constructors. Source and images Courtesy of Powerhouse Company.
Image © Powerhouse Company Image © Powerhouse Company 
Image © Powerhouse Company Image © Powerhouse Company
