Schouwburgplein (Rotterdam)

Theatre Square (or in Dutch : Schouwburgplein) is a plaza situated in the heart of the city of Rotterdam, and is flanked by the municipal theatre, concert hall, restaurants, and cafes.

Theatre Square
The Theatre Square (Schouwburgplein) in Rotterdam
Native nameSchouwburgplein
LocationRotterdam, Netherlands

An urban stage and an interactive open space, the 12.250 square meter square is designed by West 8, the landscape architecture firm founded by Adriaan Geuze. The design emphasizes the importance of a void, which opens a panorama towards the city skyline. It opened to the public in 1996.[1]

History

Before World War II the area was a densely populated neighbourhood.[2]

In the 1960s the square was constructed including underground parking and the De Doelen concert hall.[2]

The square was redesigned in 1996 by Adriaan Geuze and his firm West 8.[3][4] A model of the design is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.[2] The Project for Public Spaces included the redesigned square in its Hall of Shame, calling it "a perfect example of how a design statement cannot be a great square"[5] [2]

References
  1. Lange, Alexandra (16 May 2016). "Play Ground - How a Dutch landscape architect is reinventing the park". New Yorker. New York. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  2. "Contact - Schouwburgplein". Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. "West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture / projects / Schouwburgplein". Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. "Paysages: Conférence Adriaan Geuze" (PDF). 8 June 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. "15 Squares Most in Need of Improvement". 30 November 2005. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  • Square dance - Schouwburgplein, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, by Connie Van Cleef, Jan. 1998.

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