The World Trade Center (WTC) in Rotterdam is a monumental building dating back to 1940 that historically housed the Stock Exchange and was recently transformed into a modern hotel thanks to an ambitious redevelopment project by BiermanHenket. The intervention resulted in no less than 168 rooms, completely renovated offices and areas dedicated to conferences and events, as well as a significant improvement of the public space, making the building more integrated into the urban fabric and more accessible to residents and visitors.
With the addition of the imposing brass pivot doors in the Main Hall, the building’s design is characterised already from the entrance by a distinctive yet essential visual impact. Architect and project leader Armand Bos explains: ‘The redevelopment of the WTC Rotterdam was a challenge that required patience and precision. From the beginning, we worked with dedication to preserve the monumental character while making the building ready for the future.’ This project embodies a delicate balance between respecting heritage and investing in sustainable progress.
Thanks to its new design, the Main Hall has regained its original openness, while retaining its versatility as a conference space. The hall can accommodate up to 1,000 people and can be divided into two smaller rooms thanks to intelligent configurations.
The Rotterdam Hall, completely redesigned to harmonise with the restored Main Hall, through 16 majestic pivot doors, plays both a practical and architectural role.
The imposing steel pivot doors of the Main Hall, developed by the Gielissen Interiors & Exhibitions engineering team, represent a technical masterpiece. ‘The doors leading to the Rotterdam Hall are divided into two sets of eight. Each door measures approximately seven metres in height, one metre in width and weighs an impressive 380 kilos,’ explains Hesselberth. To ensure a smooth and controlled movement, Gielissen collaborated with FritsJurgens, a leading supplier of high-quality pivot hinge systems.
‘FritsJurgens is one of the few companies that can supply hinges for pivot doors up to 500 kilos,’ says Hesselberth. ‘Their quality, communication and service have proven to be excellent.’ The hinges were designed not only to support functionality, but also to enhance the sophisticated aesthetics of the space.
The doors, which have been in use for 1.5 years, have proven the reliability of the FritsJurgens systems, requiring only minor adjustment. ‘This highlights the sustainability and low maintenance of these systems, which are designed for large pivot doors in both residential and commercial environments,’ concludes Hesselberth.
FritsJurgens’ System M+ hinges combine advanced functionality and security. According to Jeroen Iemhoff, project manager at FritsJurgens, ‘Thanks to hydraulic dampers for opening and adjustable soft closing, the doors move smoothly and elegantly. This reduces the risk of accidents and protects the walls from possible impacts, regardless of the force with which the door is opened.’
The System M+ system, with its double-action design, allows 180 degrees of rotation, offering remarkable versatility and making the doors suitable for multiple applications. Durability is guaranteed by the maintenance-free nature of the hinges, which have been tested to withstand up to one million cycles, ensuring a long service life even under heavy use.
‘System M+ is the ideal choice for large and heavy pivot doors, combining advanced technology, elegant design and unrivalled durability,’ adds Iemhoff.
Another distinguishing feature of System M+ hinges is their minimalist design. ‘Installation requires only a 40 x 80 mm floor and ceiling plate,’ explains Iemhoff. ‘The ceiling plate is fixed with standard screws, while the floor plate only needs two 8 mm holes, making the system ideal even for heated floors.’
For WTC Rotterdam, the hinges were configured to allow the pivot doors to open in one direction. ‘A 90-degree stop position ensures a perfectly linear opening, enhancing the impressiveness of the seven-metre high doors,’ says Iemhoff. ‘A unique aspect is that all doors close at the same speed, creating a harmonious and visually consistent movement.’
To minimise the load of the 380-kilo doors on the monumental floor, Gielissen adopted a creative solution. ‘We removed part of the marble floor and added a reinforcement plate to distribute the weight. Subsequently, the floor was restored with original tiles found in the basement of the WTC Rotterdam, creating a wonderful symbiosis of old and new,’ Hesselberth explains.
In this balance between past and present lies the essence of the project: a perfect harmony between historical details, sustainability, innovation and a passion for modern architecture.
Ph. Christian van der Kooy
