Here a few snaps leading up to the end of my first project at the BERLAGE Institute as part of my postgraduate studies in Architecture.

All of us with Winy.

Working on the booklet about our project (this booklet will get elaborated into a proper book as a collaborative between the Berlage and MVRDV to be published by ACTAR by July-August 2006)

Mr Kool

The STAR Starchitect – Mr. Koolhas – himself was at the Berlage last night. Though I found his lecture a bit disappointing the rush of having heard the real thing is quiet nice.

Visiting VPRO

If there was one project that I knew that I wanted to see in the Netherlands that I had not already seen in the summer of 2003 – this was it.

The head quarters of the Dutch Media Company – VPRO. Designed by Dutch ‘STARCHITECTS’ – MVRDV. I have to say that it’s impossible to describe this building. It has too many layers, spaces and experiences to be captured in words or images. I urge every fan of Architecture – Architecture of any kind – if you ever come to the Netherlands; you HAVE to see this Masterpiece.

Unlike other great works by Dutch architects like the tram station in The Hague (that I blogged on the 3^rd of Dec 2005) by Rem Koolhas and OMA – which I called Magic; this project by MVRDV is quiet impossible to explain. Though I’ll give it a try.

* Here the ‘stacking’ act (that MVRDV is famous for) is stretched to an extreme condition where it goes beyond just placing different functions over each other.

* Here the surface of the floor flows through different levels forming a sort of landscape, sometimes smooth and flowing like a gentle mount of snow and sometimes rigid and sharp like cliffs into a canyon.

* Here the innovative use of traditional and not so traditional materials transcends it’s mere physical purpose and creates a collage - a collage of experiences, a collage of work spaces, a collage of memories.

* Actually beyond all the above here one gets to know what is Super about the Super Dutch.

Along side the VPRO within the same Media Park there is another MVRDV projects (see above). In this one another architectural act, this time of ‘lifting’ is explored in a very simple building that seems to be propped off the ground to form an interesting cave like feel in an undulating landscape.

Rotterdam Film Festival

An amazing week of movies, people, parties and excitement. Something I had got used to not having anymore in my life. At least didn’t have any of that here in Rotterdam. But that all changed the last week.

The International Film Festival was greeted my a very different Rotterdam. One that was filled with energy and people (I know sounds strange right?).

Final got a chance to see some great architecture in this city (where I have been for 4 months).

Though I ride by the Pathe (see below pics) almost everyday I had never been inside it. And I have to say it was not disappointing. Inside a simple Section created by the clustering and stacking of movie theatres combined with some good material explorations has added to the whole movie experience.

And the beautifully scaled and designed plaza on the outside just makes this project one of the most important pieces of architecture in this city of Architects.

I have to say that the plaza with its strange (but beautiful) green lights and huge spot lights brings out the actor in quiet a few people.

And lastly I owe a big thanks to Ms. Lama Sfeir for going through all the 300 movies on at the festival and going through the pains of buying all my tickets. Thank you girl !!!

(Self seen here with good friends Melisa and Lama)