# MVRDV's Rotterdam project sparks controversy Commenters criticize the 'Rotterdam Rocks!' design. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-07-24 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bf581164-bc4a-4691-9d63-c972dce542ac ## Controversial design MVRDV's 'Rotterdam Rocks!' project for Rotterdam drew attention with its radical design resembling stacked rocks. Winning Shift's €240 million competition, it stood out as the most unconventional among five finalists. However, commenters were largely unimpressed with this architectural approach. ## Wave of criticism The majority of comments about the project were negative, with harsh critiques like 'Horrific!' and 'Looks like something Shrek would throw up.' Some remarked that this design undermined Rotterdam's maturation process, with one even asking, 'Is this the death certificate of architecture?' ## Doubts over ecological claims The project's green space claims also failed to convince critics. One commenter stated, 'There's nothing green about this monstrosity,' emphasizing it was merely a facade with unaddressed maintenance costs. Others noted, 'Actual nature does it better.' ## A lone positive voice Amid the sea of negativity, one commenter expressed admiration, calling it 'an original design that could be wonderful.' However, this solitary praise was drowned out by the overwhelming criticism. ## Other controversial projects The article also highlighted criticism toward the US-approved giant space mirror project intended to illuminate Earth at night. Comments ranged from 'Humanity is cooked in more ways than one!' to 'Are we now fully living in The Simpsons' world?' Many warned of self-destruction in the name of science. ## The importance of architectural debates Such discussions reveal public engagement with architectural designs. While radical projects often face backlash, these dialogues contribute to the evolution of architecture. The Rotterdam Rocks! project has already secured its place in architectural history—for better or worse. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/07/24/mvrdv-rotterdam-rocks-shift-competition-comments/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._