VALCKENSTEYN: ROTTERDAM'S FIRST MASS TIMBER RESIDENTIAL BUILDING DELIVERS AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING BY POWERHOUSE COMPANY

The Valckensteyn project marks a major milestone in sustainable residential architecture in Rotterdam. Designed by Powerhouse Company for housing corporation Woonstad Rotterdam, the 12-story development provides 82 affordable rental apartments in the Pendrecht district while showcasing the benefits of low-carbon mass timber construction.

Built on the site of the original Valckensteyn residential tower from 1971, the new building reinterprets the neighborhood's architectural heritage through a contemporary design featuring a predominantly cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure. Prefabricated timber components helped streamline construction, improve efficiency, and significantly reduce the project's environmental impact.

Designed to offer a high-quality living environment, every apartment includes a spacious west-facing balcony, while a landscaped park created by LAP Landscape & Urban Design surrounds the building. Shared green spaces, natural play areas, and integrated nesting boxes for birds and bats further enhance biodiversity and strengthen the project's ecological value.

Valckensteyn demonstrates that affordable housing, mass timber construction, environmental performance, and resident comfort can successfully coexist. The project sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration and timber architecture in the Netherlands.

Project: Valckensteyn
Location: Pendrecht, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Architect: Powerhouse Company
Client: Woonstad Rotterdam

Program: 82 affordable rental homes
Typology: housing, residential, wood architecture, sustainable 
Structure: Prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT)
Landscape Architect: LAP Landscape & Urban Design

Photography: Sebastian van Damme (c) 

Source: v2com