Giant vegetated rock complex with hotel and exhibition spaces planned for Rotterdam Zuid
Rotterdam’s future skyline may soon gain a new architectural landmark after MVRDV’s “Rotterdam Rocks” was selected as the winning design for the Shift Landmark competition. The proposed project, planned for Rotterdam Zuid along the Maas River, will feature seven large, vegetated, rock-like structures containing exhibition spaces, a restaurant, a hotel, and a conference center.
Designed as a walkable landscape, Rotterdam Rocks will allow visitors to climb across and explore the formations. Construction is expected to be completed in 2032, and the project is expected to require at least 240 million euros in investment.
The winning design was chosen from five submissions by internationally renowned architecture firms. The jury said MVRDV’s proposal best met the competition’s goal of creating a destination where visitors could find inspiration for a sustainable future.
Sustainability is central to the project, with plans for environmentally friendly materials, low energy consumption, and extensive integration of vegetation. The design also aims to create habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
The Shift Landmark initiative was launched by Amsterdam entrepreneur Don Ritzen. He selected Rotterdam because of the city’s reputation for innovation. “I can’t wait to walk over and through this rock formation,” Ritzen told Rijnmond.
“We are super proud that we are allowed to collaborate on this initiative and realize this building soon,” MVRDV architect Winy Maas told Rijnmond following the announcement.
Maas said the goal is not simply to instruct visitors about sustainability but to create a place that inspires curiosity and optimism.
“It must intrigue and fascinate so that you want to go there. After that, you can show people which steps are needed for a sustainable future,” he said.
The architect said the project is intended to give visitors a sense of possibility rather than leave them with a list of responsibilities.
“We try to paint what that future could look like. With plants, birds, water, and nature on the outside. And inside the caves you see other challenges and solutions again. It must be an invitation to go exploring yourself,” Maas said.
The location in Rotterdam Zuid was chosen as the area undergoes major transformation, including development around the future third city bridge and the planned Rotterdam Stadion station.
MVRDV will now continue developing the technical details of the design, materials, and ecological systems. “Now we are going to figure out how to make this technically,” Maas told Rijnmond. “What will that skin look like? Which facade materials do you use? How do you get birds in it? We are going to calculate and test all of that.”
