100 YEARS OF BROEKBAKEMA: A DAY TO REMEMBER

One hundred years ago, we were commissioned to design the Van Nelle Factory – time to celebrate, said Aldo Vos at the start of our anniversary celebrations. We have a long tradition of social innovation, and we are proud of that. But how do you celebrate something so special? With inspiring words, a healthy dose of creativity, and of course… a party in that very same Van Nelle Factory. The place where much of our history lies.

WATCH THE AFTERMOVIE:

Thank you to everyone who was part of this celebration! Whether you were there live or not, we would like to share the highlights with you.

HIGHLIGHTS
Under the infectious guidance of Siobhan Burger, Diederik Samsom kicked off with a keynote speech that struck a chord. His message? Climate and biodiversity are under pressure, but we have the greatest asset at our disposal: the power of innovation and creativity.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM
After the plenary kick-off, we continued the program in a festival atmosphere. Looking around, participating, discovering—everything was possible. From “speed date sketching” (free advice from a Broekbakema architect once in a hundred years!) to an exclusive look at the Nieuwe Instituut’s model repository, which is not normally open to the public. Iconic models were set up here especially for today: from the Dutch Pavilion in Osaka to the Van Nelle Factory itself. A journey through our creative past.

RONDLEIDING VAN NELLE FABRIEK & BUREAU

Hoe is het eigenlijk om te werken in de Van Nelle Fabriek? Onze gasten konden het zelf ervarentijdens de rondleidingen door dit rijksmonument én door ons bureau. Speciaal voor de gelegenheid hingen de muren vol met foto’s en verhalen uit de afgelopen 100 jaar. Zo ontmoetten bezoekers de kern van ons werk: gebouwen die altijd mensgericht zijn, toen én nu.

THINKING, DISCUSSING, INNOVATING
Under Siobhan’s inspiring leadership, three important themes from our DNA were debated. Building Communities, Transformation, and Complex Simplicity with Mayada Shaaban (EDGE), Thieu Knibbeler (Municipality of Rotterdam), Melanie Bloem (Atelier Bloem), Onno Baack (Byondis), and Renze Evenhuis (Broekbakema).

As Thieu Knibbeler aptly summarized: “Looking back at what you have is always the starting point for innovation.”

PROGRESSIVE IDEAS
What is the role of technology versus our responsibility? Former Chief Government Architect Floris Alkemade gave a special lecture on the importance of the role of Progressive Ideas. The architect is like a rider on a horse without reins, constantly making choices. More than just providing answers: daring to ask the right questions. According to him, architecture goes beyond just building: it means caring for society and daring to innovate with an eye to the future.
MOMENTS TO TREASURE
After the festival program, the official hand-over of our archive to the Nieuwe Instituut took place. Together with alderwoman Chantal Zeegers and Sofie de Caigny (head of collections at the Nieuwe Instituut), we transferred 100 years of designs, stories, and knowledge. Soon to be accessible to the public!

The Broekbakema Top 100: the public chose their favorite buildings. The top three:

1. Van Nelle Factory
2. ABN AMRO headquarters
3. Restoration of Blijdorp Zoo

BUILDING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Our community builders were each given a Lego brick to actively contribute to a model of Terneuzen town hall. This is a design we created in the 1970s, which we are now making more sustainable. While the festival program continued, the Lego master ensured that all the individual bricks came together to form a complete model.

Festive wrap-up
We ended up high above Rotterdam in the tearoom of the Van Nelle Factory, with a view over the city and a party to remember. A hundred years of Broekbakema, full of inspiration and collaboration, show us one thing: the future only takes shape when we design it together.

Check out the photos from the whole day here!