We all know that buildings don't always turn out like the renderings. Last-minute changes and real-life materials can all cause discrepancies between the vision and reality of a project. In our weekly Flash Forward Friday feature, we take a look at how different projects stack up.

The Dutch are proud champions of multifunctional buildings. In a country as densely populated as The Netherlands, it makes sense to exploit the space available on every development site. Maximizing the potential of each property for the benefit of the public is urban planning dogma, which KCAP Architects&Planners espouses in each of their projects. The Red Apple in Rotterdam is one of their most famous works. The residential complex is grounded by an eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants that secure the development to the triangular Wijnhaven Island.

Rendering of The Red Apple, image via KCAP

Situated at the tip of the island and surrounded by water, the 38-storey tower rising from the southwest corner of the site is diagonally oriented to provide residents with optimal views. A large podium joins the tower to a distorted pentagonal volume that hosts apartments of various sizes. The trademark feature of the facade, the striking red anodized aluminum accents, creates a strong unifying identity for the complex. The lines on the tower decrease in prominence as they rise, complementing the verticality and slenderness of the building block. In contrast, the shorter volume employs horizontal layers of red, which work in contextual tandem with the neighbouring tower while still maintaining their own unique aesthetic.

The view from Verlengde Willemsbrug, image retrieved from Google Street View

Construction on the tower began in 2006 with renderings emphasizing the eye-catching red motif that was about to be realized. The finished project certainly accomplished the vibrant hues that were depicted — a splash of red also adorns the underside of the smaller structure, which is connected to the podium via a series of concrete columns. The three-storey cutout in this block is where a greenery-laden amenity space is located, though it's not yet quite as visually apparent as the rendering suggested. 

The Red Apple in its finished state, image by Przemysław Turlej via Creative Commons