Van Nelle Factory
The coffee, tea and tobacco factory in Rotterdam is one of the iconic buildings of functionalism. The entire façade is glass between concrete floor slabs on mushroom columns, and glazed walkways connect the factory with the warehouse. Light, air and hygiene were to shape the work.
The owner, Kees van der Leeuw, was interested in architecture, theosophy and modern working conditions, and he wanted a factory that was a light and healthy place to work. The factory was built in 1925–1931 with a concrete frame, and the walls became glass from floor to ceiling. Le Corbusier called it “the most beautiful spectacle of the modern age”.
The building is an example of how functionalism sought to unite technology, hygiene and beauty. Production flowed through the building from top to bottom, and the employees had canteens, sports grounds and bright workplaces. The factory closed in 1996, was converted into offices and event spaces, and became a World Heritage Site in 2014.