X-ray scanner I, II, III and IV, Rotterdam, NL

The X-Ray-Scanners in the Rotterdam harbour area are four concrete ensembles with an iconic appearance. Although they seem simple at first sight, they are all visually powerful buildings. For the design of X-Ray-Scanner III and IV we used the same materials as the first two scanners. In this way, a series of Customs buildings is created at the various terminals with a clear recognisability for the drivers.

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The first X-Ray-Scanner – designed in collaboration with Art & Build – offers a container scan that allows incoming containers to be checked quickly and safely; 25 trucks can be screened per hour. The highly advanced X-ray technology is housed in a building that shows this dynamic on the outside.

After ten years of service, the compact X-Ray-Scanner II has been replaced by a more technically advanced scanner. For the X-Ray-Scanner III and IV at the Delta Terminal on the Maasvlakte, we used the same materials as the previous buildings. The anthracite-coated concrete and AluZinc roof have proven to be resistant to the harsh environment of sea wind and port activities.

The technical preconditions for the third and fourth scanners were very different. Firstly, there are two fixed scanners, a vertical top and a vertical side scanner. The containers are pulled through the scan construction on a train of trailers. Together, these scanners generate a 3D image that makes the contents of the steel containers visible on the basis of material differentiation. We made use of further developed equipment, that provide the same image with less radiation.

Because the client was open to unusual choices, a clear accent could be placed in an architecturally unattractive manner. The border controls are now faster, safer and more beautiful than ever.