Fishbowl residential blocks Pendrecht

The Rotterdam architect Harry Nefkens (1918-2018) and the architecture office of Kuiper Gouwetor De Ranitz were responsible for the 390 dwellings in this area, known as Pendrecht III. They were commissioned by the Society for Public Housing, the oldest housing association in Rotterdam. Since the renewed interest in post-war architecture, the four blocks by Nefkens have become fondly known as the ‘fishbowls’ because of the distinctive elongated windows with rounded corners in the green-tiled end facades. These striking 1950s elements are also known as television windows. Another typical 1950s feature is the cheerful pattern of vitrified clay pipes adorning the staircase volumes.

Upon completion, this housing scheme was scarcely noticed or published. The urban design was praised, however. Placing the three- and four-room flats on columns ensured that the ground level remained largely open, apart from storage units and a shared washroom. ‘The purpose of these covered areas is, among others, to offer children a safe and, on rainy days, dry place to play.’

The four blocks are grouped in two pairs between Dirkslandstraat and Stellendamstraat. Together with other four-storey blocks also designed by Nefkins, they enclose a shared green area. And in combination with some blocks of homes for the elderly, they constitute the residential neighbourhood so typical of Pendrecht.

The blocks are 75 metres long and contain 30 dwellings on three levels. They are gallery-access flats, with two staircase volumes attached to the blocks. The flats consisted of a large living room, one or two large and one small bedroom, a hall, toilet, shower, kitchen and loggia. The rental price was 11.65 guilders a week for a four-room flat, and 10,65 guilders a week for a three-room flat.

Van Schagen architects renovated the ‘fish bowl blocks’ in the years 2003-2005. Homes were fitted with new kitchens, toilets and central heating systems, and facades were restored and structurally improved. The rental units were sold off after renovation. The open ground level proved to be a vulnerable area. The resulting problems have been tackled by enlarging the entrances and fully glazing them, and by paying plenty of attention to lighting. The renovation formed part of the redevelopment of this area of Pendrecht, part of which was demolished. Some 294 flats have been replaced by 177 new single-family homes. The project has been a municipal monument since 2021.