Matthew Cook
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matthew-cook.bsky.social
Matthew Cook
@matthew-cook.bsky.social
340 followers 280 following 280 posts
Rotterdam resident, British born. Architecture trained, working in urban design/planning. Interested in architecture, cities, ecology, politics. Ik moet mijn Nederlands meer gebruiken.
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matthew-cook.bsky.social
Last ones showing the gallery access. It really has been a very successful renovation. It's not exactly the weather now but the deck is well used and very neighbourly
Deck access gallery of the Justus van effenblok. The communal courtyard is below with a bright yellow gingko tree. There are two chairs in the foreground on the deck Deck access gallery of the Justus van effenblok, on the bridge above the entry road. The deck is about 4m wide here and half of it has been occupied with amazing potted plants Deck access gallery of the Justus van effenblok. Somebody has made a collection of bonsai trees and they are all growing, in various states of progress, on a raised display bench next to the entrance of the communal stairs The deck opens out to the street in the corners creating views outside the block. This is also wider, about 4m, and residents are able to put benches and tables here
November 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
A few more pictures of/from the interior spaces
Interior of an unfurnished flat. It's a kitchen/living space with a large wood framed window looking into a communal courtyard The communal stairwell of the service block. The finishes are raw concrete, painted masonry, and raw masonry where the plaster has been removed A view of the communal courtyard from the balcony of the service block. Three towers designed by the architects SOM are on the horizon A view from the office window looking north along the main road of the block. The photo is taken from the fourth floor level and you can see solar panels on the roof of the blocks opposite
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
Great post! I'm very lucky, my office is that workspace in the central service block. The tower used to hold the baths and laundry facilities. These have gone but the district heating/cooling system is still upstairs. Here are some pics of the interiors. First 3 is the office, last is the gallery
A tall room with high windows made from white painted concrete. The room is used as an urban design studio and there are prints and model making materials scattered about A bright white office space with large t shaped windows. A big green plant grows in a pot in the foreground and my messy desk is on the left A darker office with a series of long windows on one side and small square ones on the other sides The roof is lower and there are several desks with papers on top A double height exhibition space for art with an open gallery running around edge of the 1st floor. The interior is white painted concrete with a brick floor
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
Ahem, frothy coffees
November 11, 2025 at 7:06 AM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
Was trying to find the story of how he got into Oxford and found there is now an ai overview which is maybe funnier than the story itself?
Screenshot of a Google ai overview, it reads: Toby Young was admitted to Oxford University after he failed to meet his reduced entry offer, received a confusing acceptance letter, and his father, Lord Young, intervened by calling the admissions tutor. The admissions tutor decided to offer Young a place due to a moral obligation created by the clerical error of sending the incorrect acceptance letter. This occurred under an access scheme that lowered the required grades for comprehensive school pupils, though he still failed to meet the new, lower offer. Reduced offer: Young received a lowered offer of BBB for his A-Levels under a scheme to improve access for comprehensive school students. Failure to meet grades: He did not achieve the required grades, with results of B, B, and C. Clerical error: He received an acceptance letter by mistake, which was then followed by a rejection letter. Father's intervention: His father, Baron Young of Dartington, contacted the admissions tutor to clarify the confusion. Final decision: The admissions tutor decided to offer him a place due to the moral obligation created by the erroneous acceptance letter.
October 31, 2025 at 10:39 PM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
The architects space&matter set up a platform, CrowdBuilding.com to help CPO groups form, find plots and to provide resources for anyone interested. It's worth a look!
CrowdBuilding
Unieke en betaalbare woningen creëer je samen. Vind passende projecten en leuke buren in jouw regio.
CrowdBuilding.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
I believe some cities used to help provide sites for CPOs but have now stopped because they realised they were just taking resources away from their affordable housing programmes.
October 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
Here in NL, CPOs as we call them are unusual but becoming more popular. They offer a good alternative to developers' market offer. However you need access to capital and the ability to organise so it's not much use as an alternative to social housing.
October 25, 2025 at 7:56 AM
matthew-cook.bsky.social
I spy Delft. I'm curious what you will be getting up to during your time here!
October 12, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Matthew Cook
brunotonelli.bsky.social
Just last week, in Milan...
September 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM