Trespa NL Project of the Month (July): Imagine, Rotterdam

In the dynamic skyline of Rotterdam, the new residential complex Imagine makes a bold impression. Located between Laan op Zuid and 2e Rosestraat, the development features two sleek towers connected by a low-rise volume that offers both rental and owner-occupied homes. Developed by Vesteda and designed by Barcode Architects, Imagine combines strong design language with ambitious sustainability goals. Central to the façade concept is the use of bold reflective panels in Trespa^® Meteon^® Lumen in Metropolis Black (L9000) Specular finish. 

Built near the iconic Feyenoord Stadium, Imagine is uniquely positioned in the bend of the river Maas. The project features contrasting design elements, a solid, geometric exterior paired with an open courtyard inside. The reflective finish of Trespa^® Meteon^® Lumen adds to this interplay, creating a façade that changes with light, weather and perspective. 

The choice of Metropolis Black (L9000) Specular finish brings a striking high gloss surface that mirrors the city, enhancing the towers' sculptural form and giving the project a distinctive identity in Rotterdam’s skyline. 

For Vesteda, choosing materials is about more than aesthetics. The company prioritises both environmental performance and long term value. Based on a life cycle assessment by Alba Concepts, Trespa^® Meteon^®  scored high on the circularity index. Key contributing factors included low maintenance needs, high UV resistance and a favourable CO2 footprint. 

Backed by an Environmental Product Declaration, Trespa^® Meteon^® provided clear and transparent data to support material decisions. As Vesteda’s Senior Technical Acquisitions & Development Manager Raymond Schäperkötter explained, long term maintenance costs can rise significantly, up to 11 percent after ten years. Choosing a reliable and low maintenance solution like Trespa^® Meteon^®  helps mitigate these costs while supporting sustainability goals. 

Construction began in early 2022 and by October 2023, the highest point of 70 meters was reached. Façade specialist FLOW Gevelapplicaties led the installation of almost 5,000 square meters of Trespa^® Meteon^® Lumen panels. Each panel was premeasured, cut and labelled per floor for efficient installation. 

In collaboration with distributor Jongeneel Eindhoven and De Platerij, all panels were sourced from a single production batch, ensuring consistency across the entire façade. This highly coordinated approach helped the team meet tight deadlines while maintaining excellent build quality. 

Furthermore, we proudly recognise Vesteda and Barcode Architects for their forward-thinking approach with our Trespa & ArchiComm Netherlands July 2025 Project of the Month.