Didden Village, architectural structure at Beatrijsstraat, Oude Westen, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Didden Village is a residential structure in Rotterdam built on top of a historic building between 2002 and 2006, featuring two small houses with separate bedrooms, terraces, and shared outdoor areas. The addition combines the old architecture below with bright blue modern facades and creates small streets, plazas, and staircases that make the rooftop feel like a tiny neighborhood.
The project was created between 2002 and 2006 by architects MVRDV, who transformed the roof of a historic building into a new residential area. This work marked a turning point in how cities approach density and was later recognized with Rotterdam's Architecture Award.
Didden Village takes its name from the original family who lived there and represents Rotterdam's approach to creative renewal of existing buildings. The colorful rooftop layout with its village-like streets and shared plazas creates a sense of community high above the city streets, where residents gather in outdoor spaces designed for social interaction.
The site can be accessed on foot via spiral staircases that connect the roof and individual houses, forming light and visible structures. Visitors should know that outdoor areas like terraces and plazas are reserved for residents, but the architectural design can be viewed and appreciated from outside.
The project uses bright blue color to clearly show what is old and what is new, creating a playful contrast with the historic building below. This approach was innovative when completed and has inspired many other cities to think about vertical growth possibilities.
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