Community Bar - De Esch -
“An open, floating community bar on a canal, where glass bricks and concrete unite for transparency and togetherness.”
For this project, I embarked on the design of a neighborhood bar in Rotterdam, situated within a residential area that boasts a wide spectrum of demographics. The locale accommodates diverse residents, including Universitystudents, young families, children, and the elderly. Despite this rich tapestry of inhabitants, I observed a clear absence of a unifying community space within the vicinity.
I began with extensive location research to gain a deep understanding of the residents' preferences and requirements. The demographics in De Esch vary, ranging from young families with children to elderly individuals and university students. Situated to the east of Rotterdam, De Esch offers a quieter, more nature-oriented environment, albeit somewhat removed from the city center. Yet, there is a noticeable absence of communal spaces for residents to gather and connect. This inspired my vision to design a community bar, a place where residents can plan events and engage in communal activities, fostering a stronger sense of community within the area.
My design concept for the bar aimed to harmonize seamlessly with the area's distinct characteristics, rooted in its historical relationship with water. The locale boasts a rich aquatic history, notably featuring one of the Netherlands largest and most ancient watertowers within the city. To leverage this connection to water, I envisioned and designed a floating bar positioned along the canal, nestled amidst residential apartments.
In my material choices, I opted for concrete, in line with the predominant architectural elements in the vicinity, and incorporated glass for its transparency, fostering an open and inviting ambiance. This glass facade, when combined with warm interior lighting, not only creates a visually pleasing atmosphere but also casts a captivating reflection on the water's surface. Overcoming the challenge of achieving warmth on a water surface, my focus remained steadfast on the play of light to craft a welcoming and cozy space, ideal for residents to come together and share quality time.
