P O R T F O L I O

Ir. Roy Grob | ArchitectBurgemeester Meineszlaan 80a3022BM Rotterdam, NLPhone: +31 6 41 935 086Email: roygrob71@gmail.com

B P R e f i n e r y R o t t e r d a m

B P R e f i n e r y R o t t e r d a m

The site is located in the transition zone between the industrial landscape of refineries and the wetlands of the Brielsemeer. These particular circumstances provided, together with the need to create a safe workplace against a possible explosion of the oil refinery, challenging conditions for the new office building. Our aim was to highlight and strengthen these circum-stances in both the exterior and the interior of the building. The building is on the north site nestled into the landscaped dune, while on the south side it emerges from the dune, thereby optimizing views out and the entry of natural light.In the interior the dune is visible in a dynamic way and forms part of the work environment. An elongated atrium space is cut out from the man made dune. The wall on the cutting edge is covered with timber slats that differ in colour and size and evoke an association with geological layers, a reference to the business activities of BP RR. The extensive use of natural materials like wood, concrete and natural stone emphasise the ‘nature’ and robustness of the company.The atrium is flanked by two parallel office wings. Office floors, each linked by bridges, are in open connection with each other and the atrium space. Meetings take place in box-shaped volumes, pushed into the atrium as ‘sky-boxes’.

PROJECT DATA

Architect: GROUP AFunction: Office buildingClient: BP Rotterdam RefineryLokation: Rotterdam, NLCompletion: 2011Area: 10.600 m2

1st price Public Award Rotterdam 2011Nominated Daylight award 2012

P o p C e n t r e D e E f f e n a a r

The original old Effenaar had all the characteristics of a youth centre: it was introverted and informal. It was rough and smelled like beer and cigarette smoke. Together with a second hall and the garden along the river Dommel, this community echoed the Urania of Berlin: an enclave in the city. In what way could these charms be combined with the request and desire for more professionalism?

In order to achieve a maximal garden and optimal truck-access, the building was situated as far away from the river Dommel as possible. The result was a compact footprint and lead to a stacking of the program. All the different parts of the program of the new Effenaar got their own specific sizes and were then put in a logical order.

By bending a range of little kingdoms, a main hall ‘arises’ like a test room. This is where the core business of the Effenaar takes place. The shape of the concert hall is a resultant of the space-requirements of the other spaces, like the smaller hall and the café/restaurant down-stairs. In this way, a compact volume is made where every programmatic zone is positioned next to the concert hall and is linked to the city in front and the park behind.

PROJECT DATAArchitect: MVRDV i.c.w. Bureau BouwkundeFunction: Concert hallLocation: Eindhoven, NL Client: Municipality of EindhovenCompletion: 2005 Area: 4.550 m2

Nominated for the bi-annual Dirk Roosenburg Award 2007 by the Municipality of Eindhoven (Best building over the last 2 years), 2007

P o p C e n t r e D e E f f e n a a r

A H O Y R o t t e r d a m

Ahoy Rotterdam, built in 1970 as an indoor cycling and skating rink, has been expanded and modernized by Merkx + Girod working together with Zwarts & Jansma architects. The visitor capacity has been extended and the renovated Ahoy now meets the demands of modern events. The most important operation was raising the entire roof several meters. Inside Ahoy, a number of spaces have been opened up and connected, creating visitor ‘squares’; open areas which can be used for any function or facility. Where possible the original construction features of the building were emphasized. The changes to the building and its interior have greatly improved the possibilities of use, orientation, logistics and ambience, whilst retaining the intimate feeling for which Ahoy is renowned. An important feature of the interior design, was the use of light to create varia-tions in ambience. One example is the complete exterior of the tribune which has been cov-ered with sheet metal in which LED lights have been added. A new colour scheme was devel-oped and applied to all elements. All the bars and other outlets are painted in bright colours based on this scheme; this means they are visible – in the otherwise subtle surroundings. The “experience of Ahoy” starts even before the visitor has entered the building. The facade has been fitted with an LED screen, onto which a preview of the events will be projected.

PROJECT DATAArchitect: Merkx + Girod architecten i.c.w. Zwarts en JansmaFunction: Sports and music venueLocation: Rotterdam, NLClient: Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Rotterdam (OBR)Completion: 2011 Area: 30.800 m2

A H O Y R o t t e r d a m

P l a n t i j n C a s p a r i e U t r e c h t

A solid wall of 80 wooden columns is the first image you see, when you approach print house PlantijnCasparie along the Merwedekanaal. As you get closer to the building, the facade slowly opens. Behind this row of six-meter high columns a spacious interior will become visible. Double-height spaces are interspersed with transparent and closed volumes.

The building consists of three boxes, put together and varying in size. At the canal a large box containing studios and offices, behind it the box of printing workshop and the rear a box with the bindery, storage and shipping. Due to the location, the boxes become narrower and deeper to the rear part of the building. The front box functions also as a sound barrier between the printing workshop and the houses across the canal. The offices and studios are stacked on two layers against the wall of the printing workshop. The double-height space between these functions and the facade is designed as a meeting place for employees.

The facade consists of a series of wooden columns of 10 cm wide and 30 cm deep. The columns have a threefold function: as carriers of the roof, as window frame and as sun blinds because the sun early in the morning turns to the south.

PROJECT DATAArchitect: Bar i.c.w. Bureau BouwkundeFunction: Printing houseLocation: Utrecht, NLClient: PlantijnCasparieCompletion: 2003 Area: 3.700 m2

P l a n t i j n C a s p a r i e U t r e c h t

W o r l d P o r t C e n t e r R o t t e r d a m

PROJECT DATAArchitect: Foster + Partners i.c.w. Bureau BouwkundeFunction: Office buildingLocation: RotterdamClient: Port of Rotterdam AuthorityCompletion: 2001 Area: 40.000 m2

The World Port Center at the “Kop van Zuid”, is one of the tallest buildings in Rotterdam. The location of the building, on the banks of the Maas, is a characteristic maritime environment. The WPC, situated next to the former cruise terminal of the Holland America Line, is part of a larger master plan to regenerate this former part of the harbor, which includes building projects by Renzo Piano, Alvaro Siza and OMA.

The building consists of three parts. The square eastern tower has 22 floors and the semi-circular tower on the west side 34. In between is the core that forms a connection between the two towers. This core area houses the elevator shafts and rises above the two towers to a height of 145 meters including the mast.

The first two floors have a transparent glass façade, bounded by a broad glass canopy. At the top of the semicircular tower is a conference center in the so-called crow’s nest. From behind the large glass front you have a nice view over the harbor. The roof of the west tower func-tions as a terrace, overlooking the city and harbors.

W o r l d P o r t C e n t e r R o t t e r d a m

B L A A K 8 R o t t e r d a m

Blaak 8 Tower office building is situated along the Blaak in Rotterdam’s city centre. The design has proposed a number of stacked, shifting volumes, all carefully oriented towards the adjacent streets, squares and landmarks.The Blaak Tower comprises a trapezoid base. Above the 6th floor the building will change shape, its footprint will be reduced in length and will become rectangular. Beyond the 17th floor the building will change footprint again, with a rectangular, slightly slanted floorplan.The three volumes will express a balanced external appearance, thereby enhancing a feel of movement. Both the buildings alignment and overall height will respond to the surrounding urban fabric. The organically shaped façade pattern will further enhance the feel of movement in the building.The prefabricated concrete panels represent an abstracted tree pattern, whereby the huge tree trunks will gradually transform into branches. The partial use of gleaming concrete and reflectorised coating means the panels will reflect the light and create colour differences. Overall, the façade, notwithstanding the use of prefabicated panels, will have a vibrant, var-ied look and feel. The concrete panels, however, are not solely meant for decorative purposes, as the façade is also load-bearing.

PROJECT DATAArchitect: GROUP AFunction: Office buildingLocation: Rotterdam, NLClient: Blauwhoed Vastgoed bvCompletion: 2011 Area: 15.000 m2

B L A A K 8 R o t t e r d a m

D u t c h C o u n c i l o f S t a t e t h e H a g u e

D u t c h C o u n c i l o f S t a t e t h e H a g u e

The Council of State is an independent body that advises the government and parliament on matters of legislation and policy issues and is the highest administrative court in the country.The complex consists of three national monuments, among them Kneuterdijk Palace (1716) and the more recent Sleeswijk complex. The aim was to create a contemporary design that is inviting and inspiring, while preserving the monumental atmosphere. In the monuments each space has been given a new appearance that respects its historical character. Of the Sleeswijk complex only the concrete shell has been preserved, while the functionality and the appearance where completely redesigned. Most of the alterations to the monuments, such as the modern climate installation, are almost invisible. Transparency and clear organisation are the cornerstones of the design. The public areas are strictly separated from the other spaces. All seven council chambers are located on the ground floor, while the floors above contain offices only. This arrangement creates a logi-cal division between public and private spaces and provides the security requirements that where an important part of the brief. Apart from the security issues, technical requirements helped to determine the design. The floral motifs, for example, in the council chambers are not only decorative but also acoustic.

PROJECT DATAArchitect: Merkx + GirodFunction: Dutch Counsil of State Location: The HagueClient: Gov. Buildings AgencyCompletion: 2011 Area: 34.900 m2

D u t c h C o u n c i l o f S t a t e t h e H a g u e