The opening of the Markthal (literally the market hall) in Rotterdam in October 2014 was inaugurated by the former Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. I happened to live only 2 blocks away from this lively and colorful new center of commerce.

It was designed by MVRDV, the structure combines two dissimilar program types, composed as a housing building which arches over an indoor market hall. The facility offers public access for eating, drinking, and shopping, while also accommodating 228 apartments featuring externally facing balconies.

The building’s surface treatment unites two contrasting elements: a gray natural stone cladding on the exterior façades and a vibrant and colorful mural arching above the market. The latter, by artists arno coenen and iris roskam, is titled ‘cornucopia‘ and features images of produce which are printed on perforated aluminum panels. (http://www.designboom.com/architecture/mvrdv-markthal-rotterdam-opens-10-01-2014/)

It looks even more awesome when your friends are in the picture and you can use the colorful view as a backdrop!