Orientation by Light, Maasstad Hospital | Rotterdam Netherlands Stijlgroep landscape and urban design

Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Seating Elements by Night

Getting lost in a huge building is not only a fear of most users, but happens quite regular. The new hospital of Rotterdam South is one of those huge developments with an enormous building mass. The design team came up with a unique concept for the five patios being located along the central internal corridor with a length of 500 meters. Sustainability means for designers to focus on the need of the users. With the concept of three different themes combined with special lighting elements the right answer in this context was given: The patios are as orientation point the central heart of the new development and meet the demands as part of the healing environment. Special lighting elements emphasize the identity of each patio.

Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Orientation by light - Plan

Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Seating Elements by Day
Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Seating Elements by Night

In the first two patios massive rectangular lighting columns accomplish a minimalistic design whereas oversized seating elements, which are lit during evening and at night time, are the main element of the central patio. Those seating elements dare users to sit under the soft shade of the huge honey locust trees. A modern interpretation of a bamboo garden has been chosen as topic for the last pair of gardens. A diverse mix of bamboo and grasses create the perfect scenery for the gigantic bamboo lighting.

Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Bamboo by Night
Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Bamboo by Night
Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Bamboo by Day

What seems to be very special already at daytime is brought to life in the evening and at night time. Soft, sustainable LED light changing colours and shades attract attention and dare to explore, to experience the gardens also after sunset. A second layer of lighting has been added in every patio: from midnight on the feature lighting is replaced by bollard lighting to reduce the intensity of light.

Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Light columns by day
Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Light columns by dusk
Orientation by Light-Maasstad Hospital-Stijlgroep
Orientation by night

Orientation by Light
Client: Maasstad Hospital
Location: Rotterdam (the Netherlands)

Consultants/team:
Landscape architect: Stijlgroep landscape and urban design
Architect: Wiegerinck
Contractor: Hoven landscaping
Lighting: Samson Urban Elements

Year (design): 2004
Year (realisation): 2010

IMAGES: Samson Urban elements

About Damian Holmes 3246 Articles
Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA). He is a registered landscape architect (AILA) working in international design practice in Australia. Damian founded WLA in 2007 to provide a website for landscape architects written by landscape architects. Connect on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianholmes/