The last time I decided to head to Rotterdam was a disaster. Remember I was robbed in the train? So, it took quite some time for me to gather courage to head in that direction. Its so bad, that now, there was an announcement in the train asking passengers to safeguard the belongings! Anyways, I did make-up my mind again to get to Rotterdam and this time we just opted for a day-trip. It was a bit hectic, and we somehow managed it, but I wouldn't recommend it at all! Rotterdam needs 2 days - period!
Ofcourse we took the early train again, so could reach Rotterdam early. Our first thing to do was to head to Kinderdijk. Honestly, its so big that it needs a whole day to itself, esp. if you're with a kid. Ofcourse, on the way, we saw the Erasmusbrug. The waterbus ride towards Kinderdijk also passed through Noah's Ark! It was by chance I saw it and was confused about what I was seeing, though I knew for sure, it looks like Noah's ark! I thought it was the Natural History Museum, but no, its called Noah's Ark and its a religious museum about Christianity that talks about Noah's Ark!
We returned by 1:30 PM from Kinderdijk to attend the 2:00 PM tour at Van Nelle Fabriek (Factory). To begin with, it doesn't feel too fascinating, when you're associating it with UNESCO! However when you understand that this was built in 1925-31, in the beginning of industrial revolution, when all other buildings were built of bricks and primarily opaque - this, primarily made of glass & steel and primarily transparent - is an absolute shocker! This paved way for, set an inspiration for all the sky-scraper office buildings that you see today that are just glass & steel!
This was designed by Leendert van der Vlugt along with J.G. Wiebenga, for Van Nelle Company, co-owned by Cees van der Leeuw. Well, the original idea behind the building was to have vertical production line, as well as the storage in the same site. As soon as you enter is building 10 and then buildings 1-9, each built for a different purpose.
Building 10 has a curved ground plan that enabling the person here overlook the whole site from the windows - obviously the owner & supervisor's offices. It was originally a coffee, tea & tobacco manufacturing firm.
The original idea was to build 9 storey on either sides and the bridges were supposed to be horizontal, however as they started to runout of money, they took the impromptu decision to make the bridges slanted, which today is the face of the building! It is so fascinating for its times that the contemporary architect of the time, Le Corbusier (whose buildings are also listed under UNESCO), described Van Nelle Fabriek as 'the most beautiful spectacle of the modern age'!
Sadly, the concept of vertical production line, was taken over by horizontal soon and within 25 years, the building kinda got defunct. In course of time, the place was renovated to suit the modern safety standards without altering outer facade. Today multiple offices function here and the place also serves to conduct events.
Some of the things not to miss in there - the double helix structured staircases (to segregate men & women), the humongous neon sign atop, toilets with glass walls (individual cabins have wooden doors though., that is to reduce time spent by workers in toilets!), slots in the pillars to introduce new walls if needed, minimalistic design everywhere - incl clocks, chairs etc!!!
Van Nelle Fabriek can be accessed today only via guided tours. Per week only 90 tickets are available (3 tours on Saturday and Sunday with 15 persons each tour). Though there tours are at 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00PM, only the 2:00PM tour is in English. Yeah! That's exactly why the day got too hectic, as we had to 'finish' Kinderdijk before that!
Some of the things not to miss in there - the double helix structured staircases (to segregate men & women), the humongous neon sign atop, toilets with glass walls (individual cabins have wooden doors though., that is to reduce time spent by workers in toilets!), slots in the pillars to introduce new walls if needed, minimalistic design everywhere - incl clocks, chairs etc!!!
Van Nelle Fabriek can be accessed today only via guided tours. Per week only 90 tickets are available (3 tours on Saturday and Sunday with 15 persons each tour). Though there tours are at 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00PM, only the 2:00PM tour is in English. Yeah! That's exactly why the day got too hectic, as we had to 'finish' Kinderdijk before that!
After Van Nelle Fabriek, the shuttle bus dropped us back at Chabot Museum. Very close to this is the Sonneveld House which was also designed by the same architect for the residence of Albertus Sonneveld, a director of Van Nelle! Sadly we didn't have much time to see either of these. From here, our next stop was ofcourse the very famous Cube Houses.
Today the Cube Houses serve as Stay Okay hostels. We considered staying here last time when we planned for the 2 day trip. However being with a kid would mean, booking a private room and it wasn't available on the day we were planning for. This time, we just had a look at the place from outside.
To Get There:
On Google Maps: Van Nelle Fabriek, Chabot Museum, Sonneveld House, Cube Houses, Erasmusbrug
On Google Maps: Van Nelle Fabriek, Chabot Museum, Sonneveld House, Cube Houses, Erasmusbrug
Van Nelle Fabriek; Shuttle bus services are available at 12:30, 1:30 ad 2:30 from Chabot Museum in Mar-Oct. Otherwise buses are available once every 15 mins from Rotterdam Centraal.
Cube Houses: Located next to Rotterdam Blaak Railway Station served by most IC & Sprinter trains.
Entry Tickets & Timings:
Van Nelle Fabriek: €15 - Served by Chabot Museum. Includes entry to Chabot Muesum and shuttle bus between the 2. Have to be booked early via the official Chabot Museum Website. Tours are at 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00PM
Chabot Museum: €8 Tue-Sun: 11:00AM to 4:30/5:00PM (€12.50 for combi ticket with Sonneveld House)
Sonneveld House: €14 (incl. entrance to Het Nieuwe Instituut). Tue-Sun: 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Cube Houses (from outside), Erasmusbrug: Free, 24 x 7
Cube Houses currently houses the StayOkay Hostels. Prices begin here at €30.35 per night.
P.S: I was invited to the Van Nelle Fabriek by Chabot Museum to experience the site for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
Entry Tickets & Timings:
Van Nelle Fabriek: €15 - Served by Chabot Museum. Includes entry to Chabot Muesum and shuttle bus between the 2. Have to be booked early via the official Chabot Museum Website. Tours are at 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00PM
Chabot Museum: €8 Tue-Sun: 11:00AM to 4:30/5:00PM (€12.50 for combi ticket with Sonneveld House)
Sonneveld House: €14 (incl. entrance to Het Nieuwe Instituut). Tue-Sun: 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Cube Houses (from outside), Erasmusbrug: Free, 24 x 7
Cube Houses currently houses the StayOkay Hostels. Prices begin here at €30.35 per night.
P.S: I was invited to the Van Nelle Fabriek by Chabot Museum to experience the site for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.