Parasite Las Palmas | Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten

A bright green object sitting on top of the elevator shaft of the former warehouse building Las Palmas acted in 2001 as a widely visible, three dimensional logo for its host building whose large, industrial spaces were temporarily used for various exhibitions during Rotterdam’s year as European cultural capital in 2001. One of the exhibitions was called Parasites* and presented designs of small-scale objects for unused urban sites making ‘parasitic’ use of the existing infrastructure. The exhibition was curated and organised by Mechthild Stuhlmacher and Rien Korteknie, involving an international group of architects. Taking advantage of the enterprising atmosphere of the cultural year, one of the designs was built in full scale. The roof of the building amidst the varied, spectacular roofscape of the Rotterdam harbour area proved to be an ideal location.

The Las Palmas Parasite was a prototypical house aiming at combining the advantages of prefabricated technology and the unique qualities of tailor-made design. The limitations imposed by the size of the elevator shaft and the strength of its walls demanded a compact plan and volume. Services like water supply, sewage and the electric installation had been linked to the existing installations.
Walls, floors and roof had been made of solid laminated timber panels made from European softwood. The elements were prefabricated, precut to size and delivered on site as a complete building package. The assemblage on site took just a few days - despite the difficult and exceptionally windy location.

The building system was used in the Netherlands for the first time, a discovery for both the architects and the many, enthusiastic visitors. The interior surfaces had been left untreated and uncovered, the exterior had been clad with painted plywood in large sheets. Openings were cut out as simple holes. Window frames had been avoided by using a combination of fixed double glazing and operable timber shutters detailed in the most direct and simple way possible. Windows varied in size, character and position, celebrating the spectacular and highly varied views from its location surrounded by new urban developments and harbour activities.

Despite its temporary character, the building remained in its location until the summer of 2005 and was used for numerous activities. Due to the planned renovation of Las Palmas the Parasite had to be removed and is currently in storage, waiting for new uses and sites.

*Parasites, prototypes for advanced ready-made amphibious small scale individual temporary ecological houses.