It is generally known that Rotterdam became a city for which renewal was key, especially after the devastating bombardment it suffered in WW II. What is less well known is that, by that point, the city had already been active in urban regeneration for quite some time. For example, the plans for Het Industriegebouw – an extraordinary mid-century-modern multi-business building right in the centre of the city – were ready before the war. Not only were some of the buildings from that earlier period, such as the Van Nelle factory and HAKA, very progressive at the time, they are still unsurpassed even today as far as I am concerned. This is because their design, providing so much air, light and space, has a very special effect on the wellbeing of people. It is typical of a working-class town that every possible effort was made to ensure that work environments were as comfortable as possible. Obviously, it is also advantageous that do-rists can visit these sites today. The Slaak hotel is yet another marvellous modernist object; you really feel as though you have landed in some kind of MadMen setting.