In the vicinity of the plot there are a few striking aspects perceptible. The Beijerlandselaan is showing up from the neighbourhood at the south-west side and leads to the crossing point at the Varkenoordse viaduct. This avenue is one of the main shopping streets in Hillesluis. There are future plans to build a fourth bridge over the river Maas as an extension of the Beijerlandselaan. This new bridge will connect Hillesluis directly with the northern part of Rotterdam. Behind the flyover at the nort side, there is one of the busiest railway tracks which connects Rotterdam with the southern part of The Netherlands, Belgium and France. This railway track, together with the flyover, creates an immense barrier between the neighbourhood and the nearby bank of the river Maas. This means that Hillesluis ends up in the north into an infrastructural junction.

The new MFA will be a building that creates a surplus value for the neighbourhood at two different scales. On the one hand the building creates a more closed monumental square in front of the mosque. This will emphasize the status of this iconic building. On the other hand the new building will create a connection between the neighbourhood and the river bank. Due to this connection the area at the river bank can be redeveloped into for example a more recreational area.

The new building is about 350 meters long, fifteen meters wide and is designed with a diameter of half a kilometer. The building consists of two slabs. The outer slab contains most of the program and protects the inner slab against the wind. The inner slab creates the pedestrian and bicycle connection. At the highest point of the inner slab you can look over the outer slab and have an incredible view onto the city and the river Maas.

Thanks to:
Joost Glissenaar [BAR Architects - architecten van Mourik]
Björn van Rheenen [Sponge]