Valckensteyn, the first mass timber residential building in Rotterdam, has been officially delivered. Designed by Powerhouse Company and commissioned by housing corporation Woonstad Rotterdam, the project merges innovative timber construction with a strong social mission: providing 82 affordable rental homes in an iconic post-war district.
“Valckensteyn proves that affordable housing and sustainable construction can go hand in hand. The result combines high living quality with refined architecture,” stated Stefan Prins, Partner Architect, Powerhouse Company.
Innovation in a historic district
Valckensteyn plays a key role in the sustainable redevelopment of the post-war Pendrecht neighborhood on the southern edge of Rotterdam. It is built on the site of the former Valckensteyn building, which shaped Pendrecht’s streetscape from 1971 to 2012. At the time, this high-rise by architect Kranendonk was a novelty for the area, with two staggered wings rising 10 and 14 storeys high, significantly contributing to alleviating the severe post-war housing shortage.
The characteristic staggered volume is reflected in Powerhouse Company’s new design. The building also connects to the clear urban planning structure of Pendrecht, designed by Lotte Stam-Beese, in which high-rise and low-rise buildings are carefully placed around green, collective outdoor spaces that give the neighborhood its open and spacious character.
“We are proud to contribute to the continued renewal of Pendrecht with an innovative and affordable residential building. This development not only enhances the quality of life in the neighborhood but also reinforces the social and spatial fabric of the city as a whole,” said Mohamed el Achkar, Chairman of the Board, Woonstad Rotterdam.
Sustainable urban renewal
With the exception of the ground floor and elevator/stair cores, Valckensteyn’s main structure is made entirely of Cross-laminated timber (CLT). The design of the new Valckensteyn complex combines innovative materials with elegance and cost efficiency, thereby creating an efficient and highly sustainable residential building for the middle rent sector. Within the distinctive volume, the CLT elements are meticulously optimized in thickness to minimize material waste.
The ecological impact extends beyond the building, which is surrounded by a green, park-like garden designed by LAP Landscape & Urban Design. West-facing balconies provide broad views and a strong connection to nature. The design also includes biodiversity features such as bird and bat nest boxes integrated into the façade.
“We redefine affordable living by providing all homes with exceptional royal balconies, nearly 2 meters deep and 13.8 m² in size,” added Stefan de Meijer, Project Leader & Engineer, Powerhouse Company
The base of the building is clad in travertine, a characteristic post-war material that subtly references the neighborhood’s history. Above, demountable fiber cement panels in light brown and anthracite echo the timber structure both visually and functionally, while supporting long-term maintenance. Together, these materials enhance the building’s sustainable and circular identity.
“Valckensteyn is a milestone. The first residential building in the Netherlands for affordable rent with a wooden structure reaching eleven stories high. The building is unique of its kind and has given timber construction in the Netherlands a push in the right direction,” concluded Robbert Groeneveld, Project Manager, Woonstad Rotterdam.
