This square was designed by West8. The heightened parts are designed to act as a city stage. The big red street lamps hint towards the Rotterdam harbour and were intended to move by visitors by putting a coin in it. A large range of materials is used in the square: sheet metal, wood, and glass. Observe children running over the surfaces being aware of its differences.

The robust materials of the square got negative comments from the citizens and  visitors, and in 2005 it was included in the “Hall of Shame”: world’s worst public! Recently a new material has been added, a grass carpet. This has caused the square to be more intensively used, as people for example now also lay down and sit on the square.

Brain Teaser
A redesign of the square is being planned, with input from ‘Rotterdammers’, the citizens of Rotterdam. The image shows a first impression by the municipality to stir up the conversation: What do you think about it, will this redesign make sure that the square will be taken out of the Hall of Shame?

Sources
Groenendijk, P. (2021, April 10). Meest omstreden plein van Rotterdam gaat op de schop: ‘Die kranen moeten in elk geval blijven.’ AD. https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/meest-omstreden-plein-van-rotterdam-gaat-op-de-schop-die-kranen-moeten-in-elk-geval-blijven~a83b99f6/172066270/