During the Rotterdam Marathon weekend on 12–13 April, the latest iteration of the KLABU clubhouse will make a special appearance in the heart of Rotterdam. Located on the northern edge of Schouwburgplein, directly opposite De Doelen, the bright orange clubhouse will welcome visitors with various activities and events for all ages throughout the weekend.
The clubhouse, designed by MVRDV for KLABU, is a mobile, modular, and multi-functional community hub that provides a safe, inclusive space for refugees to come together through the joy of sport. By using a shipping container as the base, KLABU can deliver both the physical clubhouse structure and the necessary sports equipment in one go, forming a “flat-packed” sports clubhouse. Previous iterations of the clubhouse designed by MVRDV are currently operating in the Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter in Boa Vista, Brazil, the M’bera refugee camp in Mauritania, and the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan.
Before the latest iteration of the clubhouse heads off to Uganda later this year, the pop-up during the marathon will offer a rare opportunity for the public to experience the clubhouse as it operates in refugee camps, inviting visitors to explore the space, ask questions, and learn about KLABU’s important mission. For those who prefer to take in the action from a more relaxed vantage point, MVRDV’s colourful Vertical Village foam furniture will be arranged in front of the clubhouse to welcome visitors to unwind.
A variety of fun, child-friendly activities will be hosted at the clubhouse on both days.
Saturday:
- 12:30 - 14:00: DJ set by MVRDV’s Alex Niemantsverdriet
- 12:30 - 15:00: MVRDV team present for meet-and-greet
- 15:30 - 15:45: City run warm up with KLABU run coach Soumia
- All day: Table tennis, KLABU team present, KLABU merchandise available
Sunday:
- 14:00 - 17:00: MVRDV team present
- All day: Table tennis available, KLABU team present, KLABU merchandise available
On Sunday, some members of the MVRDV team will support the clubhouse from the track, running the marathon in bright orange KLABU x MVRDV shirts!
This collaboration between MVRDV, KLABU, and TCHAI presents an intersection of design, charity, and community, opening conversations on how architecture and sport can unite to foster connection, resilience, and hope for displaced people.
KLABU and MVRDV invite everyone to stop by the clubhouse, take photos, meet the teams, and help spread the word about KLABU’s impactful work.
Read more about KLABU clubhouse here.