Courage has been rewarded

“The Rotterdam Architectuur Prijs, because it is a token of appreciation from your own city. On top of that, Fenix I won both the professional jury and public jury award. In the seventeen years that I have been a developer, I have always wanted to win a Rotterdam architectural prize. Rotterdam is also the only city that conducts an active architectural policy, which is so important. I still get goosebumps thinking of the award ceremony. Up to the last second, I doubted whether Fenix I would win, as so many good projects had been delivered in Rotterdam.

Though, the best thing would be if Fenix I would be awarded the Gouden Piramide 2020, which will probably be handed out in June 2021. This is a state prize for inspiring commissioning work in architecture and area development, and therefore also honours the collaboration between the developer, client and architect. That nomination is already a prize in itself.

While the ULI is an international recognition of our work, leaving many nominees behind us. Which is also good for Rotterdam, the city that used to head the wrong lists. And now, my own city tops all the lists in the field of project development and architecture.”

“It is tough to explain this and remain modest at the same time, but I believe Heijmans has been rewarded for its courage. Something really had to be done in Katendrecht. When we finished the plan, the crisis began. Everyone left, but we stayed on. We took responsibility and showed we were able to handle it. The prizes are not just for the result, but also for the journey leading up to it. The manner in which we fully focused on temporary use of the warehouses, as part of the organic area development. And how we prioritised culture, something that does not happen often.

And the result has such an impact on the city, not just on Katendrecht. Rotterdam’s centre now lies on two river banks. The scale and complexity are also impressive: you put a hundred-year-old building in the spotlight again and ensure it can last for another hundred years. Quality is always rewarded. We have more wind at our backs again, but also in case of economic headwind, quality will always come first at Heijmans. We can do this, leave a place in a better state than in which we found it. Many say they can, few actually succeed.”