The Van Nelle Factory, Rotterdam

Year:	2003
Location:	Rotterdam
Architect:	Brinkman & Van der Vlugt
Designer:	Wessel de Jonge
Client:	IBB-Kondor
Contractor:	Wessel de Jonge/Claessen Erdmann
Project type:	restoration
Product:	moulded tiles, clear glaze

The Van Nelle Factory, designed by Brinkman & Van der Vlugt (1925–1931), is one of the shining examples of new building (Nieuwe Bouwen) in the Netherlands and the restored building (1999–2003) is one of the Netherlands' most important recent monuments. Koninklijke Tichelaar had supplied tiles before, to replace damaged tiles in the halls and corridors of 'the most beautiful factory in the Netherlands'. During the restoration as much of the materials as possible were preserved or restored. One of the most complicated elements involved the mouldings for the toilet complexes. More than twenty models were developed to allow us to reproduce the elegantly designed walls. Three toilet complexes in all were restored to their original condition.