W70 Rotterdam

Joni Israeli

• Interior Architects

From Vacancy to Vibrant Ecosystem – Upcycling, Community & Good Energy at the Core

How do you truly bring a building to life? And how do you create impact that sticks?

These were the driving questions behind W70 Rotterdam – the transformation of a former SHELL office building on the Weena. Built in the 1980s, full of potential but abandoned, this structure was revived by Studio Sherylleysner in collaboration with Re:Invent and commissioned by a.s.r. insurance. The result: a bold, inclusive, and vibrant space where work, social enterprise, culture and community flow seamlessly together.Welcome to W70.Club – The Good Energy Tank Station.A place to recharge, to connect, to be inspired – and to be surprised, every single day. Not a dull or generic office, but a colourful city oasis, buzzing with positivity, creativity and movement.The transformation started with what was already there.

photo_credit Today’s Brew — Today’s Brew

When Shell vacated the building, they left behind all kinds of furniture, materials and objects. Instead of throwing things out, we teamed up with a dedicated crew and dove in. Items were restored, reimagined and transformed. What wasn’t immediately usable was traded at a nearby thrift store, keeping the process circular and hyperlocal. The result is an interior with soul – layered, personal, and full of stories.We went even further. Leftover clothing from tenant The Swapshop was repurposed into cushions by a local social enterprise, giving waste material a whole new meaning – both literally and emotionally.In the end, 99% of the materials used in the new interior were upcycled or reused, most of them from the building itself. From floor to ceiling, every layer was reconsidered, reworked or rebuilt. Sustainability wasn’t a theme – it was a method. Creative, hands-on, and driven by the energy of what already existed.Aesthetically, we went all in: Miami Vice meets eternal summer vibes. Bold colours, unexpected combinations, a touch of rebellion. Think 80s and 90s influences in shape, tone and sound: pop, hip-hop, Italo disco, house. A space that feels like summer – permanent, playful, and energizing.Art was another key layer.

Local graffiti artist Gayan de Muynck created custom murals across the building, under the art direction of Sheryl Leysner. These aren’t decorative afterthoughts – they bring urban character, spark conversation, and ground the building in its Rotterdam roots.And then there’s the cherry on top, a one-of-a-kind skybar on the top floor, overlooking the city. It’s where everything comes together: music, people, events, ideas. A place to work and unwind. To celebrate, create, and connect. A space where culture, food, business, and parties all live side by side.

All lighting throughout the building was designed and crafted by Ruwe Bolster – the personal label of interior architect Sheryl Leysner. Each artlight is a unique object, made from reclaimed materials, where upcycling meets storytelling. These pieces go beyond function – they illuminate the space both literally and emotionally.

W70 wasn’t just a renovation – it was a reanimation.A living example of how creativity, reuse and collaboration can turn vacancy into vibrancy. How old materials and new dreams can come together to shape a better, more meaningful urban future.At Studio Sherylleysner, we believe that real impact starts when you learn to see things differently – buildings, objects, people. And when you do, you feel it: This isn’t just a space. This is W70. This works.