PLP Architecture and developer Provast have won an international competition for a new mixed tower on a key redevelopment site in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

At 140m and 37 storeys tall, the building - dubbed Tree House - will be the tallest hybrid structure in the country. Located next to the Central Station, the building is modelled on the holistic ecosystem of a tree and focusses on sustainable urban development. It will feature a part-timber structure with a concrete core, significant reused and recycled materials, rainwater collection and reuse and CO2 storage. External balconies and terraces feature plantings and greenery, spreading up towards a crown of three glazed greenhouses filled with trees and gardens to emphasise a commitment to biodiversity.

Tree House’s glazed facades are punctuated by long external timber-clad balconies, including some connected by staircases to help animate its urban presence. The 160m project will house a restaurant, shops, cafes and a multi-function events and performance space help to draw the public in and provide a mix of amenities for the city’s use, as well as apartments and office space.

Construction is expected to begin in 2021, with completion due in 2024.