Overview
- Shift announced on Tuesday that it selected MVRDV as the winner of its international design competition to create the Shift Embassy in Rotterdam’s Waterkant district.
- The winning scheme, called Rotterdam ROCKS!, is made of seven stacked, rock‑like volumes that form climbable terraces and public routes that link indoor and outdoor spaces.
- The program centers on The Elysium, a 5,000‑square‑meter immersive exhibition and includes a 200‑room hotel, education and community spaces, conference facilities, food venues, and an observation deck.
- MVRDV and its technical collaborators say the project will test low‑carbon methods and circular materials, including reused steel, reduced‑carbon concrete, bio‑based components, robotic fabrication and real‑time environmental monitoring for visitors.
- The design team includes Arup, Arcadis, DGMR, Studio Bertels and Joris Laarman Labs, and the refined design will enter a public participation process in autumn 2026 while construction timelines, permits and funding remain to be decided.