Well-attended 10th International Docomomo Conference was a great success

Look at the pictures here.

The 10^th International Docomomo Conference en the 2^nd International Docomomo Student Workshop, that took place from 13-20 September in the Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were a great success. The anniversary edition of this conference was visited by more than 300 enthusiastic participants from 65 different countries.

On Saturday September 13^th the 2^nd International Docomomo Student Workshop kicked off. 48 Students from 18 international universities successfully worked on new ‘Strategies for the Coolsingel strip, Rotterdam’. Objective of the workshop was to find solutions for a sustainable future for buildings, sites and neighbourhoods of the Modern Movement and Post-war Heritage. The assignment consisted of analysis of the site, development of a cultural value assessment and design conditions, design of a master plan on functional, technical, architectural and urban level, and public presentation of the plans.

With a well-attended opening lecture by Herman Hertzberger in the new building of the faculty of Architecture of Delft University of Technology the conference took a start on Tuesday September 16^th.

During the three conference days that followed, the participants were treated to stimulating presentations and lively debates. On Friday afternoon September 19^th the conclusions of the debates were presented to the larger public by Hubert-Jan Henket.

In addition to this, the jury of the 2^nd International Docomomo Student Workshop awarded the best plans with first, second and third prizes. The winning plan gave a simple, yet elegant solution for the problems in the area of the Coolsingel and the Lijnbaan in Rotterdam.

That afternoon the Europa Nostra Award for the restoration and adaptable re-use of the Van Nelle factory was unveiled by the recently installed alderman of Participation and Culture Rik Grashoff. This opportunity was  seized to bring the historical character Cees van der Leeuw, late member of the firm Van Nelle, into being again.

To conclude, Barry Bergdoll (Philip Johnson Chief Conservator Architecture & Design, MoMA, New York) aptly put into words the essence of the conference and the given presentations.

The next International Docomomo Conference will take place in 2010 in Mexico. Stichting Docomomo Nederland wishes to thank all their sponsors, staff members and volunteers for their special contribution to the conference. The conference proceedings can be ordered at Stichting Docomomo Nederland (€ 90,-) by sending an e-mail to conference@docomomo2008.nl.