The Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR) serves as a flagship development in the broader revitalization of the Rotterdam Rijnhaven port. Designed to support climate resilience and sustainable innovation, FOR is the headquarters of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), a leading international institution focused on climate adaptation strategies. The building embodies the mission of its primary occupant through both its design and environmental performance.

Engineered to be climate-adaptive, FOR is capable of floating in response to rising water levels—making it particularly well-suited for climate change–impacted by urban environments. The structure is both energy-positive and carbon-negative, meaning it generates more energy than it consumes and contributes to reducing atmospheric CO₂. These qualities position FOR as a model for sustainable, future-proof architecture.

The project has received recognition from several prestigious platforms, including FRAME, MIPIM/Architectural Review, the World Architecture Festival, and Architectenweb, reflecting its significance in contemporary architectural and environmental discourse.

Image Credit:

Shelly Gonsalves