Rotterdam: “Portlantis“ Port Experience Center Opens
Photo: Robin Utrecht
(eap) The port of Rotterdam in South Holland is one of the largest seaports in the world – thus, it’s not surprising that it has now received its own dedicated Experience Center. At Portlantis, visitors can discover both the history of the port until today and visions for the port of tomorrow. The Experience Center uses virtual reality and augmented reality applications as well as 3D models and laboratories where visitors can carry out chemical and technical experiments.
Portlantis was officially opened yesterday afternoon in the presence of the Mayor of Rotterdam, Carola Schouten. The Experience Center will open its doors to the general public for the first-time next Saturday. Portlantis is expected to attract a total of 150,000 visitors a year. The building in which the exhibition is housed is already an eye-catcher. This was designed under the direction of Winy Maas from the architectural firm MVRDV, which is known for the design of the Rotterdam De Markthal market hall and the Boijmans Van Beuningen art museum, among others. The exhibition architecture firm Kossmanndejong was responsible for the design of the various exhibitions in Portlantis. Bruns BV in turn built the exhibitions and Bureau Bind was commissioned for the overall creative direction.
Photo: Robin Utrecht
“We are proud to showcase the port of Rotterdam to a wide audience in Portlantis. We are thus responding to the interest of visitors from all over the world, as well as from this region. In Portlantis, people can admire our port, learn all about it and also have space for reflection,” says Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. “We see it as our task to unite different social interests, ensuring that we can develop the port in harmony with the environment. Portlantis tells that story to both young and old alike.”
“The port of Rotterdam is a key driver of our economy. In an inspiring way, Portlantis presents the immense value of this sector to our city, region and the Netherlands as a whole. The centre not only offers a unique perspective on the port but also encourages the next generation to explore the opportunities within this dynamic sector. In this way, Portlantis is also an investment in the economy of the future,” adds Robert Simons, Alderman for Port and Economic Affairs of the City of Rotterdam. ■
