Cross fertilization of ideas and talent
Science Park Amsterdam, the international knowledge centre in the
Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood is the new home for the Liberal Arts and Sciences
program at the Amsterdam University College, a joint institute of the
University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. Science Park is located in
the eastern pa...
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Cross fertilization of ideas and talent
Science Park Amsterdam, the international knowledge centre in the
Watergraafsmeer neighbourhood is the new home for the Liberal Arts and Sciences
program at the Amsterdam University College, a joint institute of the
University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. Science Park is located in
the eastern part of the city, close to Amsterdam’s historic seventeenth-century
city centre. In September 2012, international students and professors started
at the new school of 5,800 m², that can accommodate 900 students. Surrounded by
other science buildings, the Science Park provides an interesting environment
for the AUC with optimal opportunities for cross fertilization of ideas and
talent. The park has an urban character in which buildings, landscape and
public space are strongly intertwined. Science Park encompasses a program of
500,000 m² in total including office buildings, laboratories and educational
facilities, hotel, conference facilities, sports and cultural programs,
restaurants and housing.
Inspiring home for students
Arriving from the city center or the new train station Amsterdam Science Park,
the sculptural AUC building together with the Anna Hoeve historic farm house,
form the new entrance to the Science Park. Mecanoo designed Amsterdam
University College as an inspiring home for a community of international
students and their professors. It is an inviting building with a spacious loft
on top. The loft was created by placing the roof diagonally north-south. The
tilting roof forms a loft where the more contained, quiet study areas and
library are housed. Large voids form the heart of the building and create a
visual relationship between the different floors. A staircase winds through the
voids, symbolising a sense of community for its users. Distinguished spaces
such as the restaurant, common room and study hall are double height. Vast
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 formal architecture of the
Science Park.
Sustainability
The AUC is a sustainable building. The Greencalc + score is set at a building
index of 200. The compact building mass creates an optimal ratio between wall
and floor surface and the relationship between open and closed surfaces in the
facade is optimized. The building uses ground source storage and concrete
thermal massing. The large roof area has a sedum roof cover that provides
insulation and water storage. Sensors which detect movement and daylight
monitors are also applied throughout the new building. High quality internal
acoustics is achieved through the use of extensive wood wall panelling that
extends from the ground floor to the upper floor ceiling. This element also
provides a clear orientation point for students and visitors.
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