It was announced that Molenaar & Co architecten (Rotterdam), Hebly Theunissen architecten (Delft), and landscape architect Michael van Gessel (Amsterdam) are the recipients of the 2016 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Justus van Effen complex in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The announcement was made Joshua David, President and CEO of World Monuments Fund (WMF), and Andrew B. Cogan, CEO of Knoll Inc.
Originally designed by Michiel Brinkman in 1919-1921, and completed in 1922, the Justus van Effen complex is a remarkable example of early modernism, and is emblematic of the ideals embodied in the modern movement. The use of an elevated “street” as a means of facilitating social cohesion was extremely influential on the subsequent generation of designers. The completed project aligns with the revitalization of Rotterdam’s Spangen neighborhood, an area that had become rundown and dangerous in the 1980s and 1990s and is now enjoying a resurgence, while still conveying the values of affordable housing. The project, which addresses all levels, from the building fabric to the public and urban domain, also reflects the commitment of the owner, Woonstad Rotterdam, to ensuring the future of the complex for future generations.