Mecanoo's Amsterdam University College Construction Reaches Highest Point

Earlier this week on Wednesday, the construction of the new academic building for the Amsterdam University College reached its highest point. Mecanoo architecten, based in Delft, designed the 6,000 m² faculty for the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. The new Liberal Arts and Science building will be located in Science Park Amsterdam, the international science and research center in the area referred to as Watergraafsmeer, and will be realized in 2012.

Project Description from the Architects:

Amsterdam University College is designed as an inspiring home for a community of international students and their professors. It is an inviting building with a spacious attic on top. The attic was created by placing the roof diagonally north-south. A large void forms the heart of the building and creates a visual relationship between the different floors. A staircase winds through the void, symbolizing a sense of community for its users.

Special spaces such as the restaurant, common room and study hall are two stories high. Double height windows in these rooms offer beautiful views of the surroundings.

The striking façade is made of corten steel and furnishes the building with a warm yet formal presence which contrasts with the more business like architecture of the Science Park. Amsterdam University College is a sustainable building, which uses ground source heat-cold storage and concrete core activation. A sedum roof cover provides not only insulation, but also mitigates storm water runoff.

Project Details:

Program: University building of 5,800 m2 with classrooms, library, restaurant, common room (living room), project rooms, conference rooms, workstations

Client: Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) en de Vrije Universiteit (VU)

Project address: Science Park, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Design 2008 - 2010

Realization 2010 - 2012