In 2013, in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Barcode Architects initiated the development of The Muse in Rotterdam’s Maritime District. Instead of awaiting a market response, Barcode Architects made a design proposal for this plot. The proposal convinced Wilma Wonen to develop both The Muse and the adjacent 110-meter-high CasaNova. The tower’s program was specified by intensive collaborative sessions between Barcode Architects, advisors, and the client, with comfortable inner-city living’ as a leading aim. By developing the two buildings simultaneously, joint functions that serve both towers could be developed, strengthening the sense of community.

With The Muse and CasaNova, Rotterdam has gained a new iconic high-rise project. The project exemplifies the network city concept, showcasing clever connections between the towers. Boosting the positive urban revitalization of Rotterdam, the project became the inspiration for the city’s high-rise vision.

The unique roof garden, positioned on the fifth level rather than the rooftop, fosters a 'green valley' concept, maximizing the natural experience. Plantings vary with the seasons, featuring bulbous plants, spring bloomers, autumn grasses, trees, and shrubs, providing a year-round spectacle. The garden supports local ecology, attracting birds, butterflies, bees, and bumblebees. A diverse selection of native species accommodates the area's conditions. Despite challenging rooftop conditions, the garden strategically handles extreme weather, utilizing wind studies to optimize plant placement. This dynamic urban oasis transcends a mere terrace, embodying a flourishing piece of urban nature.

The ambitions for the towers go beyond the latest sustainability requirements. Solar panels are integrated into the roof garden and top floors. Using residual warmth from the port of Rotterdam, and heat recovery in the ventilation system, inhabitants are assured of low and sustainable energy use throughout the seasons.

Both towers contribute a sculptural silhouette to Rotterdam, the warm color and material choices help free the area from its anonymous experience. The tower couple is designed for casual encounters, addressing the public space and providing communal amenities for inhabitants and the wider community.

Although the three-layer parking facility has been realized above ground, it is hidden behind the apartments overlooking the Wijnhaven, taking away the anonymity of a parking structure on street level. These apartments are an essential component in adding vitality to the adjacent quay. The transparent plinth features commercial spaces, ideally suited for restaurants and supermarkets. With these spaces, the project made a successful contribution to the activation of the high-rise neighborhood.

With the design of The Muse and CasaNova, Barcode Architects was ahead of the curve. Serving as a model for Rotterdam's 2019 vision, the towers prioritize facilitating meetings and fostering communities. CasaNova, completing the ensemble with The Muse, creatively responds to the urban plan, redistributing volume to balance like a sculpture. The slender volume optimizes sight lines and daylight, accommodating a 1,600 sqm roof garden, and enhancing community interaction.

By 2040, 50,000 homes are to be built in Rotterdam. Densification is a solution, but sky-high anonymous volumes, in which residents hardly know their neighbors or experience a sense of community, are a drawback. The high-rise vision focuses on the development of the human city, with more social interaction between residents, vibrancy at street level, and healthy living conditions. As a prime example of this vision, The Muse and CasaNova represent the flourishing new urban development in Rotterdam.