At the far end of Maasvlakte 2, in the western part of the Port of Rotterdam, a new architectural curiosity has emerged – Portlantis. Designed by MVRDV, this dynamic five-storey exhibition building not only catches the eye with its unique form, but also offers visitors new insights into the port’s transformation into an era of sustainability. With panoramic windows and a spectacular red route leading to the roof, Portlantis becomes a place where history, modernity and ecology are intertwined in one story.
Portlantis is not just a building – it is a storytelling machine. Each of the five rotating levels conceals an exhibition tailored to the view it offers. From an intimate café overlooking the dunes to a restaurant with a panoramic view of the North Sea, each element of the space has been designed in harmony with its surroundings. The exhibition, created by Kossmanndejong, shows the harbour from different perspectives, highlighting its changes and impact on the city.
At the heart of Portlantis is a monumental 22-metre-high atrium with a kinetic sculpture as its centrepiece. Mirrored ceilings heighten the impression of space, while an interactive mock-up of the port on the ground floor draws visitors in, drawing them into a narrative about the future of maritime transport.
An external staircase leading to the roof invites visitors on a free viewing tour, making Portlantis a symbolic observation tower over the port of Rotterdam. It is here that residents can get their first close-up look at the changes taking place at the port – its evolution towards greener and more energy-efficient operations.
Built with circular economy principles in mind, Portlantis is fully dismantlable and its materials can be reused. Thanks to innovative solutions such as a local wind turbine and energy-efficient insulation, the building produces 30 per cent more energy than it consumes.
Following its grand opening on 19 March 2025, Portlantis in Rotterdam was opened to the general public. It is a place that not only tells the story of Rotterdam, but also inspires reflection on the future of ports around the world.
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Don’t let the editor’s profile picture fool you. No one hacked our page! The LEGO brand encouraged us to celebrate Children’s Day in a unique way. We changed the profile pictures of our editors, taking us back to the blissful time of childhood 😊. The cursor in the desktop version, which turned into a LEGO block for a few days, is also a variety. This version of the website will accompany us until 1 June. This year, on the occasion of Children’s Day, the LEGO brand prepared a special action with the Slowhop platform, as part of which it filled 21 houses across Poland with LEGO bricks sets and gave those willing to participate the opportunity to spend a weekend of creative play in them. We wrote more about this action HERE and HERE.
PS and if you are looking for ideas for a LEGO set for creative play then check out our suggestions HERE. These are good gift ideas, not just for Children’s Day!
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design: MVRDV
photos: Ossip van Duivenbode
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