Katoenhuis – Rotterdam's industrial icon. Historical research publication
- 21 hours ago
- 1 min read
Not much was known about this building until recently. Only that it was a post–war warehouse with a distinctive concrete and brick facade. Research done by Concrete Culture has revealed its remarkable history. Although the main mission of Concrete Culture is to provide a permanent space for arts, culture, and technology, creating awareness of heritage is one of Concrete Culture's core values. To build a sustainable vision for the future, it is essential to safeguard legacy at the same time.
Katoenhuis and Van Bennekum's Havenbedrijf represent a lesser-known story within the M4H district, and Concrete Culture is continuously researching this history—both independently and in collaboration with partners. This publication is a result of few years looking at the building's history. This research was done by looking into different sources. However, the biggest source of information was the Collectie Van Bennekum.
The Collectie Van Bennekum consists of artifacts, glass negatives, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the Van Bennekum family and their company, Van Bennekum's Havenbedrijf. The collection spans from approximately 1910 to the mid-1980s and centers around themes such as the family itself, the Feyenoord football club, the Port of Rotterdam, the maritime industry, and the cotton trade. The collection was donated to Concrete Culture by the Van Bennekum family. Concrete Culture conducted the initial archival research and digitisation of glass negatives. While part of the material focuses on Katoenhuis, it also documents other warehouses operated by Van Bennekums Havenbedrijf.
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