true colours

A strategy for growth — Rotterdam, the Netherlands

24 hour design challenge / DBSG Stylos

This project transforms the Maashaven in Rotterdam South from dull and grey to colourful, vibrant, and mixed-use. Colouring the buildings creates an attractive, iconic, and positive look which reflects the neighbourhood’s colourful diversity. Directly tackling local issues such as unemployment, low level of education, and low accessibility to social structure, the strategy for growth revolves around one question: what’s in it for them?

By facilitating bottom-up participation, we gently invite locals to add their own colour. The framework consists of four steps – define, connect, build, and cultivate – making up a toolbox that is accessible and easy to follow. We strongly believe in creating a colourful community through the heart and soul of Rotterdam South. Within six years, the Maashaven will be transformed to show its true colours.

Featured in the Codarts Opening Academic Year livestream on September 8 2020 (from 1:00:29). Codarts School of Arts was the main partner in the competition.

Featured in the exhibition Together! The future of living, organized at the Delft University of Technology in October 2021.